Valerie K Temple1, Jocelynn L Cook2, Kathy Unsworth3, Hasu Rajani4, Mansfield Mela5. 1. Clinical Psychologist, Surrey Place, 2 Surrey Place, Toronto, Ontario. 2. 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. 3. Managing Director, The Canada FASD Research Network, PO Box 11364 Wessex PO, Vancouver, British Columbia. 4. Professor Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta. 5. Professor Department of Psychiatry, University of Saskatchewan, 103 Hospital Dr., Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Abstract
AIMS: 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. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSION: AR impairment is strongly related to several mental health diagnoses in those with FASD and presents some promising possibilities for targeted early intervention.
AIMS: 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. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSION: AR impairment is strongly related to several mental health diagnoses in those with FASD and presents some promising possibilities for targeted early intervention.
Authors: Kathryn G Beauchamp; Jean Lowe; Ronald M Schrader; Shikhar Shrestha; Crystal Aragón; Natalia Moss; Julia M Stephen; Ludmila N Bakhireva Journal: Early Hum Dev Date: 2020-07-02 Impact factor: 2.079
Authors: Tamara S Bodnar; Christopher Lee; Athena Wong; Ilan Rubin; Laura Wegener Parfrey; Joanne Weinberg Journal: Alcohol Clin Exp Res Date: 2022-02-17 Impact factor: 3.928
Authors: Jacqueline Pei; Caroline Reid-Westoby; Ayesha Siddiqua; Yomna Elshamy; Devyn Rorem; Teresa Bennett; Catherine Birken; Rob Coplan; Eric Duku; Mark A Ferro; Barry Forer; Stelios Georgiades; Jan Willem Gorter; Martin Guhn; Jonathon Maguire; Heather Manson; Rob Santos; Marni Brownell; Magdalena Janus Journal: J Autism Dev Disord Date: 2021-02