Study protocol: families and childhood transitions study (FACTS) – a longitudinal investigation of the role of the family environment in brain development and risk for mental health disorders in community based children

BMC Pediatrics

Study Protocol

M.L. Byrne¹  N.B. Allen¹  N. Vijayakumar¹  M.L. Seal²  E. Pozzi³  O.S. Schwartz⁴  J. Smith⁴  K. Bray⁴  S. Richmond⁴  C. Deane⁴  S.L. Whittle⁵  J.G. Simmons⁶  M.B.H. Yap⁷ 

[1]Department of Psychology, The University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA

[2]Developmental Imaging, MRI Department, Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, Australia

[3]Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia

[4]Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Parkville, Australia

[5]Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia

[6]Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia

[7]Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Parkville, Australia

[8]Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia

[9]Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Parkville, Australia

[10]Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, Australia

[11]School of Psychological Sciences, Monash Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neurosciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia

[12]Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia

关键词: Brain development;    Late childhood;    Parenting;    Social disadvantage;    Mental health;    Hormones;    Adrenarche;    Protocol;    MRI;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12887-017-0905-x

 received in 2017-04-10, accepted in 2017-06-21,  发布年份 2017

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundExtant research has demonstrated that parenting behaviour can be a significant contributor to the development of brain structure and mental health during adolescence. Nonetheless, there is limited research examining these relationships during late childhood, and particularly in the critical period of brain development occurring between 8 and 10 years of age. The effects of the family environment on the brain during late childhood may have significant implications for later functioning, and particularly mental health. The Families and Childhood Transitions Study (FACTS) is a multidisciplinary longitudinal cohort study of brain development and mental health, with two waves of data collection currently funded, occurring 18-months apart, when child participants are aged approximately 8- and 10-years old.Methods/designParticipants are 163 children (M age [SD] = 8.44 [0.34] years, 76 males) and their mothers (M age [SD] = 40.34 [5.43] years). Of the 163 families who consented to participate, 156 completed a video-recorded and observer-coded dyadic interaction task and 153 completed a child magnetic resonance imaging brain scan at baseline. Families were recruited from lower socioeconomic status (SES) areas to maximise rates of social disadvantage and variation in parenting behaviours. All experimental measures and tasks completed at baseline are repeated at an 18-month follow-up, excluding the observer coded family interaction tasks. The baseline assessment was completed in October 2015, and the 18-month follow up will be completed May 2017.DiscussionThis study, by examining the neurobiological and mental health consequences of variations in parenting, has the potential to significantly advance our understanding of child development and risk processes. Recruitment of lower SES families will also allow assessment of resilience factors given the poorer outcomes often associated with this population.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s). 2017