Galligan Dana E, Payne Leanne, Sullivan Daniel P, Bhadravathi Lokeshappa Madhura, Ziser Laura, Nunn Lorelle, Wallace Leanne M, Andersen Isabella, Howarth Sophie, Kato Akina, Karunanithi Mohan, Mingin Cassandra, O'Scanaill Sally, Aouira Nisreen, Paramecwari Ayu, Sanders Matthew R, Cobham Vanessa E, Wray Naomi R, Henders Anjali K, Byrne Enda M, Heussler Honey, Middeldorp Christel M
Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Child and Youth Mental Health Service, Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
BMJ Open. 2025 Mar 13;15(3):e091676. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-091676.
Children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) face a range of challenges which impact their daily functioning and that of their family. NDDs are often associated with significant mental health problems which can influence the course. The Improving Outcomes in Mental Health cohort described in this article aims to investigate the risk factors for the persistence and severity of mental health problems in children with NDDs.
A total of 1084 families (primary caregivers and children) were recruited from the Child Development Program at the Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service in Brisbane, Australia. 1471 caregivers (female n=1036) participated in the study, which included 382 families with 2 or more caregivers participating. The children were predominantly male (71%), with the average age of all children 5.6 years.
The most prevalent child clinical diagnoses were ASD and ADHD, with half of children receiving more than one diagnosis. Caregiver reports indicated that children were experiencing clinical levels of depression (30.8%) and anxiety (27.6%). Approximately 39% of caregivers scored in the subclinical or clinical range for at least one Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders measure, the majority reporting depressive problems.
Future plans for this data set include analysis of environmental variables such as family structure, income, school achievements and leisure activities as risk factors for the persistence of mental health problems in children with NDDs. Genetic data will be used to provide insights into the heritability of mental illness and improve prediction.
患有神经发育障碍（NDDs）的儿童，如自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）和注意力缺陷多动障碍（ADHD），面临一系列影响其日常功能以及家庭日常功能的挑战。神经发育障碍常伴有严重的心理健康问题，这可能会影响病程。本文所述的改善心理健康结果队列研究旨在调查神经发育障碍儿童心理健康问题持续存在及严重程度的风险因素。
总共1084个家庭（主要照料者和儿童）从澳大利亚布里斯班昆士兰儿童医院和健康服务中心的儿童发育项目中招募。1471名照料者（女性n = 1036）参与了该研究，其中包括382个有2名或更多照料者参与的家庭。儿童以男性为主（71%），所有儿童的平均年龄为5.6岁。
最常见的儿童临床诊断是自闭症谱系障碍和注意力缺陷多动障碍，一半的儿童有不止一种诊断。照料者报告显示，儿童存在临床水平的抑郁（30.8%）和焦虑（27.6%）。约39%的照料者在至少一项《精神障碍诊断与统计手册》测量中得分处于亚临床或临床范围，大多数报告有抑郁问题。
该数据集的未来计划包括分析环境变量，如家庭结构、收入、学业成绩和休闲活动，作为神经发育障碍儿童心理健康问题持续存在的风险因素。基因数据将用于深入了解精神疾病的遗传性并改善预测。
