scholarly journals ADHD is more closely linked to neurodevelopmental than externalizing and internalizing disorders: A genetically informed multivariate Swedish population study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ebba Du Rietz ◽  
Erik Pettersson ◽  
Isabell Brikell ◽  
Laura Ghirardi ◽  
Qi Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Internalizing Disorders ◽  
Specific Factor ◽  
General Factor ◽  
Genetic Associations ◽  
Swedish Population ◽  
General Psychopathology ◽  
Sibling Pairs ◽  
Factor Analytic Model

AbstractBackgroundWhile ADHD is currently classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder in the latest diagnostic manuals, the disorder shows phenotypic and genetic associations of similar magnitudes across neurodevelopmental, externalizing and internalizing disorders. This study aimed to investigate if ADHD is etiologically more closely related to neurodevelopmental than externalizing or internalizing disorder clusters after accounting for a general psychopathology factor.MethodsFull- and maternal half-sibling pairs (N=774,416), born between 1980 and 1995, were identified from the Swedish Medical Birth and Multi-Generation Registers, and ICD-diagnoses were obtained using the Swedish National Patient Register. A higher-order confirmatory factor analytic model was performed to examine associations between ADHD and a general psychopathology factor as well as a neurodevelopmental, externalizing, and internalizing subfactor. Quantitative genetic modelling was performed to estimate the extent to which genetic, shared and non-shared environmental effects influenced the associations with ADHD.ResultsADHD was significantly and strongly associated with all three neurodevelopmental, externalizing and internalizing factors (r=0.67-0.75). However, after controlling for a general psychopathology factor, only the association between ADHD and the neurodevelopmental-specific factor remained moderately strong (r=0.43, 95%Confidence Interval [CI]=0.42-0.45) and was almost entirely influenced by genetic effects. In contrast, the association between ADHD and the externalizing-specific factor was smaller (r=0.25, 95%CI=0.24-0.27), and largely influenced by non-shared environmental effects. There remained no internalizing-specific factor after accounting for a general factor.ConclusionsADHD comorbidity is largely explained by genetically influenced general psychopathology, but the strong link between ADHD and other neurodevelopmental disorders is also substantially driven by unique genetic influences.

scholarly journals Overlap between attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and neurodevelopmental, externalising and internalising disorders: separating unique from general psychopathology effects

2020 ◽  
Vol 218 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-42
Author(s):  
Ebba Du Rietz ◽  
Erik Pettersson ◽  
Isabell Brikell ◽  
Laura Ghirardi ◽  
Qi Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Specific Factor ◽  
General Factor ◽  
General Psychopathology ◽  
Sibling Pairs ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Factor Analytic Model ◽  
Internalising Disorders

BackgroundAlthough attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder in the latest diagnostic manuals, it shows phenotypic and genetic associations of similar magnitudes across neurodevelopmental, externalising and internalising disorders.AimsTo investigate if ADHD is aetiologically more closely related to neurodevelopmental than externalising or internalising disorder clusters, after accounting for a general psychopathology factor.MethodFull and maternal half-sibling pairs (N = 774 416), born between 1980 and 1995, were identified from the Swedish Medical Birth and Multi-Generation Registers, and ICD diagnoses were obtained from the Swedish National Patient Register. A higher-order confirmatory factor analytic model was fitted to examine associations between ADHD and a general psychopathology factor, as well as a neurodevelopmental, externalising and internalising subfactor. Quantitative genetic modelling was performed to estimate the extent to which genetic, shared and non-shared environmental effects influenced the associations with ADHD.ResultsADHD was significantly and strongly associated with all three factors (r = 0.67–0.75). However, after controlling for a general psychopathology factor, only the association between ADHD and the neurodevelopmental-specific factor remained moderately strong (r = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.42–0.45) and was almost entirely influenced by genetic effects. In contrast, the association between ADHD and the externalising-specific factor was smaller (r = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.24–0.27), and largely influenced by non-shared environmental effects. There remained no internalising-specific factor after accounting for a general factor.ConclusionsFindings suggest that ADHD comorbidity is largely explained by genetically influenced general psychopathology, but the strong link between ADHD and other neurodevelopmental disorders is also substantially driven by unique genetic influences.

scholarly journals The contribution of common genetic risk variants for ADHD to a general factor of childhood psychopathology

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabell Brikell ◽  
Henrik Larsson ◽  
Yi Lu ◽  
Erik Pettersson ◽  
Qi Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Risk ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Risk Scores ◽  
General Factor ◽  
Genome Wide Association Studies ◽  
General Psychopathology ◽  
Oppositional Defiant ◽  
Risk Variants ◽  
Genetic Risk Variants

AbstractAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a heritable neurodevelopmental disorder, with common genetic risk variants implicated in the clinical diagnosis and symptoms of ADHD. However, given evidence of comorbidity and genetic overlap across neurodevelopmental and externalizing conditions, it remains unclear whether these genetic risk variants are ADHD-specific. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between ADHD genetic risks and related neurodevelopmental and externalizing conditions, and to quantify the extent to which any such associations can be attributed to a general genetic liability towards psychopathology. We derived ADHD polygenic risk scores (PRS) for 13,460 children aged 9 and 12 years from the Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden, using results from an independent meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies of ADHD diagnosis and symptoms. Associations between ADHD PRS, a latent general psychopathology factor, and six latent neurodevelopmental and externalizing factors were estimated using structural equation modelling. ADHD PRS were statistically significantly associated with elevated levels of inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, autistic traits, learning difficulties, oppositional-defiant, and conduct problems (standardized regression coefficients=0.07-0.12). Only the association with specific hyperactivity/impulsivity remained significant after accounting for a general psychopathology factor, on which all symptoms loaded positively (standardized mean loading=0.61, range=0.32-0.91). ADHD PRS simultaneously explained 1% (p-value<0.001) of the variance in the general psychopathology factor and 0.50% (p-value<0.001) in the specific hyperactivity/impulsivity factor. Our results suggest that common genetic risk variants associated with ADHD have largely general pleiotropic effects on neurodevelopmental and externalizing traits in the general population, in addition to a specific association with hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms.

Infant temperament prospectively predicts general psychopathology in childhood

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Santiago Morales ◽  
Alva Tang ◽  
Maureen E. Bowers ◽  
Natalie V. Miller ◽  
George A. Buzzell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Activity ◽  
Infant Temperament ◽  
Late Childhood ◽  
Specific Factor ◽  
General Factor ◽  
General Psychopathology ◽  
Externalizing Psychopathology ◽  
Psychopathology Symptoms ◽  
First Time ◽  
Internalizing And Externalizing

Abstract Recent models of psychopathology suggest the presence of a general factor capturing the shared variance among all symptoms along with specific psychopathology factors (e.g., internalizing and externalizing). However, few studies have examined predictors that may serve as transdiagnostic risk factors for general psychopathology from early development. In the current study we examine, for the first time, whether observed and parent-reported infant temperament dimensions prospectively predict general psychopathology as well as specific psychopathology dimensions (e.g., internalizing and externalizing) across childhood. In a longitudinal cohort (N = 291), temperament dimensions were assessed at 4 months of age. Psychopathology symptoms were assessed at 7, 9, and 12 years of age. A bifactor model was used to estimate general, internalizing, and externalizing psychopathology factors. Across behavioral observations and parent-reports, higher motor activity in infancy significantly predicted greater general psychopathology in mid to late childhood. Moreover, low positive affect was predictive of the internalizing-specific factor. Other temperament dimensions were not related with any of the psychopathology factors after accounting for the general psychopathology factor. The results of this study suggest that infant motor activity may act as an early indicator of transdiagnostic risk. Our findings inform the etiology of general psychopathology and have implications for the early identification for children at risk for psychopathology.

Sibling Alcohol Use Disorder Is Associated With Increased Risk for Suicide Attempt

2021 ◽  
pp. 216770262110250
Author(s):  
Mallory E. Stephenson ◽  
Sara Larsson Lönn ◽  
Jessica E. Salvatore ◽  
Jan Sundquist ◽  
Kenneth S. Kendler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Alcohol Use Disorder ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Swedish Population ◽  
Sibling Pairs ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Shared Genetic

The association between having a sibling diagnosed with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and risk for suicide attempt may be attributable to shared genetic liability between AUD and suicidal behavior, effects of environmental exposure to a sibling’s AUD, or both. To distinguish between these alternatives, we conducted a series of Cox regression models using data derived from Swedish population-based registers with national coverage. Among full sibling pairs (656,807 males and 607,096 females), we found that, even after we accounted for the proband’s AUD status, the proband’s risk for suicide attempt was significantly elevated when the proband’s sibling was affected by AUD. Furthermore, the proband’s risk for suicide attempt was consistently higher when the sibling’s AUD registration had occurred more recently. Our findings provide evidence for exposure to sibling AUD as an environmental risk factor for suicide attempt and suggest that clinical outreach may be warranted following a sibling’s diagnosis with AUD.

The Relationship Between Career Adaptability and Job-Search Self-Efficacy of Graduates: The Bifactor Approach

2021 ◽  
pp. 106907272110022
Author(s):  
Marijana Matijaš ◽  
Darja Maslić Seršić
Keyword(s):  
Job Search ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sem Analysis ◽  
Bifactor Model ◽  
Specific Factor ◽  
General Factor ◽  
Career Adaptability ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Interview Performance

Career adaptability is an important resource for dealing with career transitions such as the transition from university to work. Previous research emphasized the importance of focusing on career adapt-abilities instead only on general career adaptability. The aim of this research was to investigate whether career adaptability can be conceptualized as a bifactor model and whether general and specific dimensions of career adaptability have a relationship with job-search self-efficacy of graduates. In an online cross-sectional study, 667 graduates completed the Career Adapt-Abilities Scale and Job Search Skill and Confidence Scale. The CFA analysis showed that the bifactor model of career adaptability had a good fit where general factor explained most of the items’ variance. The SEM analysis revealed that general career adaptability and the specific factor of confidence positively correlated with job-search and interview performance self-efficacy. Control only correlated with interview performance self-efficacy. Neither concern nor curiosity showed a significant relationship with job-search and interview performance self-efficacy.

scholarly journals In Silico Exploration of the Potential Role of Acetaminophen and Pesticides in the Etiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Toxics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 97
Author(s):  
Tristan Furnary ◽  
Rolando Garcia-Milian ◽  
Zeyan Liew ◽  
Shannon Whirledge ◽  
Vasilis Vasiliou
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Prenatal Exposure ◽  
Pesticide Exposure ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Biomedical Literature ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Genetic Associations ◽  
Increased Risk

Recent epidemiological studies suggest that prenatal exposure to acetaminophen (APAP) is associated with increased risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting 1 in 59 children in the US. Maternal and prenatal exposure to pesticides from food and environmental sources have also been implicated to affect fetal neurodevelopment. However, the underlying mechanisms for ASD are so far unknown, likely with complex and multifactorial etiology. The aim of this study was to explore the potential effects of APAP and pesticide exposure on development with regards to the etiology of ASD by highlighting common genes and biological pathways. Genes associated with APAP, pesticides, and ASD through human research were retrieved from molecular and biomedical literature databases. The interaction network of overlapping genetic associations was subjected to network topology analysis and functional annotation of the resulting clusters. These genes were over-represented in pathways and biological processes (FDR p < 0.05) related to apoptosis, metabolism of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and carbohydrate metabolism. Since these three biological processes are frequently implicated in ASD, our findings support the hypothesis that cell death processes and specific metabolic pathways, both of which appear to be targeted by APAP and pesticide exposure, may be involved in the etiology of ASD. This novel exposures-gene-disease database mining might inspire future work on understanding the biological underpinnings of various ASD risk factors.

Manifest Anxiety: Unifactorial or Multifactorial Composition?

1965 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 773-780 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walter D. Fenz ◽  
Seymour Epstein
Keyword(s):  
Striated Muscle ◽  
Muscle Tension ◽  
Autonomic Arousal ◽  
Specific Factor ◽  
General Factor ◽  
Personality Variable ◽  
Specific Nature ◽  
Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale ◽  
Manifest Anxiety ◽  
Differential Contribution

The study investigates three subscales of manifest anxiety, consisting of symptoms of striated muscle tension, symptoms of autonomic arousal, and feelings of fear and insecurity. There was both a general factor of anxiety and a specific factor associated with striated muscle tension. Further evidence for the specific nature of striated muscle tension was indicated by its positive relationship to feelings of hostility, its failure to relate to a personality variable of inhibition, and the relatively high score obtained by males. It was hypothesized that striated muscle tension is more closely associated with overt activity than autonomic symptoms, which represent a deeper level of inhibition. Discrepant results of studies using the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale may be due to a failure to take into account the differential contribution of items relating to different kinds of anxiety.

scholarly journals Exposure to Bullying and General Psychopathology: A Prospective, Longitudinal Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jolien Rijlaarsdam ◽  
Charlotte A. M. Cecil ◽  
J. Marieke Buil ◽  
Pol A. C. van Lier ◽  
Edward D. Barker
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Child Psychopathology ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
General Factor ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal Study ◽  
General Psychopathology ◽  
Parents And Children ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal ◽  
Internalizing And Externalizing

AbstractAlthough there is mounting evidence that the experience of being bullied associates with both internalizing and externalizing symptoms, it is not known yet whether the identified associations are specific to these symptoms, or shared between them. The primary focus of this study is to assess the prospective associations of bullying exposure with both general and specific (i.e., internalizing, externalizing) factors of psychopathology. This study included data from 6,210 children participating in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Child bullying was measured by self-report at ages 8 and 10 years. Child psychopathology symptoms were assessed by parent-interview, using the Development and Well-being Assessment (DAWBA) at ages 7 and 13 years. Bullying exposure significantly associated with the general psychopathology factor in early adolescence. In particular, chronically victimized youth exposed to multiple forms of bullying (i.e., both overt and relational) showed higher levels of general psychopathology. Bullying exposure also associated with both internalizing and externalizing factors from the correlated-factors model. However, the effect estimates for these factors decreased considerably in size and dropped to insignificant for the internalizing factor after extracting the shared variance that belongs to the general factor of psychopathology. Using an integrative longitudinal model, we found that higher levels of general psychopathology at age 7 also associated with bullying exposure at age 8 which, in turn, associated with general psychopathology at age 13 through its two-year continuity. Findings suggest that exposure to bullying is a risk factor for a more general vulnerability to psychopathology.

Psychometric properties of a new scale for measuring academic positive psychological capital

2021 ◽  
pp. 25-30
Author(s):  
Pasquale Anselmi ◽  
Daiana Colledani ◽  
Luigi Fabbris ◽  
Egidio Robusto ◽  
Manuela Scioni
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Capital ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Bifactor Model ◽  
Specific Factor ◽  
General Factor ◽  
Positive Psychological Capital ◽  
Four Dimensions ◽  
Explained Common Variance ◽  
University Of Padua ◽  
Academic Results

Positive psychological capital (PsyCap) is the name given to a set of psychological dimensions (hope, resilience, self-efficacy, and optimism) that may support students in their effort to achieve better academic results and even improve the employability of graduates. These dimensions could help students to achieve better academic results and impact fresh graduates’ ability to stand the labour market in times of crisis. A scale, called Academic PsyCap, was specifically developed to evaluate the four PsyCap dimensions among students and fresh graduates. To deeply investigate the structural validity of the scale, three alternative models (one-factor model, correlated four-factor model, bifactor model) were run on the responses provided by about 1,600 fresh graduates at the University of Padua. The results indicated that the bifactor model fit the data better than the other two models. In this model, all items significantly loaded on both their own domain specific factor and on the general factor. The values of Percentage of Uncontaminated Correlations (PUC), Explained Common Variance (ECV), and Hierarchical Omega suggested that multidimensionality in the scale was not severe enough to disqualify the use of a total PsyCap score. The scale was found to be invariant across gender and academic degree (bachelor’s and master’s degree). Internal consistency indices were satisfactory for the four dimensions and the total scale.

Revisiting the Structure of the Short Dark Triad

Assessment ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Björn N. Persson ◽  
Petri J. Kajonius ◽  
Danilo Garcia
Keyword(s):  
Dark Triad ◽  
Specific Factor ◽  
General Factor ◽  
Confirmatory Factor Analyses ◽  
Factor Loadings ◽  
The Past ◽  
S Factor ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Best Fitting ◽  
Fitting Model

In the past decade, extensive interest has been directed toward the Dark Triad (i.e., Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy), popularly assessed by the Short Dark Triad (SD3). Nevertheless, relatively little research has been conducted on the SD3’s factor structure. We investigated the SD3’s psychometric properties in three studies with three independent samples, using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses ( N1 = 1,487; N2 = 17,740; N3 = 496). In all three studies, Machiavellianism and psychopathy items displayed large general factor loadings, and narcissism larger specific factor loadings. In subsequent studies, two- and three-factor models fitted the data similarly, with the best fitting model being a bifactor model with items from Machiavellianism and psychopathy modelled as one specific factor, and narcissism as a second specific factor. On this basis, we suggest that the SD3 does not seem to capture the different mental processes theorized to underlie the similar behaviors generated by Machiavellianism and psychopathy. Additionally, we recommend the use of a single SD3 composite score, and not subscale scores, as subscales contain small amounts of reliable variance beyond the general factor.

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