Clinical Psychologist, Surrey Place, 2 Surrey Place, Toronto, Ontario.
Scientific Director, The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, 2781 Lancaster Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1B 1A7 and Adjunct Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Ottawa, 75 Laurier Ave E, Ottawa, Ontario.
Alcohol Alcohol. 2019 Jan 9;54(5):545-550. doi: 10.1093/alcalc/agz049.
Individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) frequently have challenges with regulating emotional arousal, or affect regulation (AR), and experience high rates of mental health disorders. This study examined children and adults with FASD to investigate the relationship between AR impairment and several mental health problems and diagnoses.
Data from the Canadian national FASD database was used for analysis. Seven mental health diagnoses, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, conduct disorder, attachment disorder, intellectual disability, and language disorder were examined. A history of suicidality was also examined. The prevalence of these mental health problems in individuals with and without AR impairment was compared.
Individuals with FASD and AR impairment were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with conduct disorder (OR 4.8), attachment disorder (OR 6.1), or post-traumatic stress disorder (OR 8.1) when compared to those without AR impairment. They were also more likely to have a history of suicidality (OR 8.6). AR impairment was most commonly found in those with greater overall neurodevelopmental impairment. Having AR impairment was associated with receiving a diagnosis of FASD at a later age, but was not related to gender, intellectual disability, or language disorder.
AR impairment is strongly related to several mental health diagnoses in those with FASD and presents some promising possibilities for targeted early intervention.
患有胎儿酒精谱系障碍（FASD）的个体通常在调节情绪唤醒或情感调节（AR）方面存在挑战，并经历较高的心理健康障碍发生率。本研究调查了患有 FASD 的儿童和成人，以研究 AR 损伤与几种心理健康问题和诊断之间的关系。
使用加拿大国家 FASD 数据库的数据进行分析。研究了七种心理健康诊断，包括注意力缺陷/多动障碍、创伤后应激障碍、品行障碍、依恋障碍、智力障碍和语言障碍。还检查了自杀史。比较了有和没有 AR 损伤的个体中这些心理健康问题的患病率。
与没有 AR 损伤的个体相比，患有 FASD 和 AR 损伤的个体更有可能被诊断为品行障碍（OR 4.8）、依恋障碍（OR 6.1）或创伤后应激障碍（OR 8.1）。他们也更有可能有自杀史（OR 8.6）。AR 损伤最常见于总体神经发育损伤较大的个体中。AR 损伤与较晚被诊断为 FASD 有关，但与性别、智力障碍或语言障碍无关。
AR 损伤与 FASD 个体的几种心理健康诊断密切相关，并为有针对性的早期干预提供了一些有希望的可能性。
