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Cited by 588Family and Disability Support ResearchAutism Spectrum Disorder ResearchChild and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development

Behaviour and emotional problems in toddlers with pervasive developmental disorders and developmental delay: Associations with parental mental health and family functioning

Herring, S., Gray, K., Taffe, J., Tonge, B., Sweeney, D., Einfeld, S.·2006·Journal of Intellectual Disability Research
DOI 10.1111/j.1365-2788.2006.00904.x
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Behavioural and emotional problems occur at a high rate in children and adolescents with intellectual disability, often from a young age. Some studies have indicated that children and adolescents with autism present with even higher rates. Less is known about the presentation, development and family impact of these difficulties in young children with autism. This study aimed to explore these issues in toddlers with pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs), those with delay without a PDD, and their families. METHODS: Participants were 123 children aged 20-51 months, referred to a developmental assessment clinic. Parents completed a checklist on child behavioural and emotional problems, and individual questionnaires on family functioning, their own mental health, and stress in relation to parenting their child. The child's language and cognitive skills, adaptive functioning and behaviour were assessed by standardized measures. Measures were repeated 1 year postdiagnosis. Behavioural and emotional problems in young children with a PDD were compared with those in children with developmental delay without a PDD, and their impact on parental outcomes explored over time. RESULTS: Initial and follow-up measures of child behaviour and emotional problems, parent mental health problems, parent stress and family functioning were significantly correlated, providing some evidence of stability over time. Child emotional and behavioural problems contributed significantly more to mother stress, parent mental health problems, and perceived family dysfunction than child diagnosis (PDD/non-PDD), delay or gender. Compared with mothers, all fathers reported significantly less stress in relation to parenting their child. CONCLUSION: Results highlighted the importance of addressing emotional and behavioural problems in very young children with autism and/or developmental delay. The need for early support and intervention for mothers, fathers and families in this context was also evidenced. As research has shown that behavioural and emotional problems persist into adolescence and young adulthood, understanding of these issues in very young children and their parents has important implications for intervention and long-term outcomes.

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Authors
Herring, S., Gray, K., Taffe, J., Tonge, B., Sweeney, D., & Einfeld, S.
Affiliations
  • Monash University (AU)
  • UNSW Sydney (AU)
Corresponding author
Gray, K.
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Intellectual Disability Research
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2006-11-07
Volume
50
Issue
12
Pages
874-882
ISSN
  • 0964-2633 (ISSN-L)
  • 1365-2788
DOI
10.1111/j.1365-2788.2006.00904.x
OpenAlex
W2095531578
Cited by
588
References
43
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 29 · 2022: 28 · 2021: 26 · 2020: 36 · 2019: 35 · 2018: 30 · 2017: 36 · 2016: 49 · 2015: 39 · 2014: 53 · 2013: 38 · 2012: 28
FWCI
16.61
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
  • Journal of Intellectual Disability Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • University of Birmingham Research Portal (University of Birmingham) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Australian Research Council
  • National Health and Medical Research Council
  • National Medical Research Council
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Family and Disability Support Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
Keywords
pervasive developmental disorders, autism spectrum disorder, toddlers, developmental delay, child behavior problems, child emotional problems, parental mental health, parental stress, family functioning, family dysfunction, gender differences, early intervention, longitudinal stability
MeSH terms
Adult, Developmental Disabilities, Child Development Disorders, Pervasive, Child, Preschool, Depression, Family, Female, Humans, Male, Parents, Psychological Tests, Surveys and Questionnaires, Severity of Illness Index, Stress, Psychological, Wechsler Scales, Cost of Illness, Mood Disorders

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