scholarly journals Why the Son-bias in Caregiving? Testing Sex-differences in the Associations Between Paternal Caregiving and Child Outcomes in England

2020 ◽  
pp. 0192513X2094190
Author(s):  
Emily H. Emmott ◽  
Ruth Mace
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Test Scores ◽  
Child Outcomes ◽  
Behavioral Difficulties ◽  
Ecological Framework ◽  
Parents And Children ◽  
Behavioral Difficulty ◽  
More Care ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Avon Longitudinal Study

Studies show that fathers across Western populations tend to provide more care to sons than daughters. Following a human behavioral ecological framework, we hypothesize that son-biases in fathering may (at least in part) be due to differences in fitness returns to paternal direct investments by child’s sex. In this study, we investigate sex-differences in the associations between paternal caregiving and children’s outcomes in stable, two-parent families. Using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, we test whether paternal caregiving in early childhood is associated with different effects on children’s school test scores and behavioral difficulties by children’s sex. Overall, we find that paternal caregiving is associated with higher school test scores and lower behavioral difficulty scores, but the association between paternal caregiving and school test scores was stronger for boys. Our findings highlight possible sex-differences in returns to paternal caregiving for certain domains of child outcomes in England.

scholarly journals Why the son-bias in fathering? Testing sex-differences in the associations between paternal caregiving and child outcomes in England (Pre-print)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily H Emmott ◽  
Ruth Mace
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Test Scores ◽  
Child Outcomes ◽  
Ecological Framework ◽  
Parents And Children ◽  
More Care ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Avon Longitudinal Study

Fathers in Western populations tend to provide more care to sons than daughters. Following a Human Behavioural Ecological framework, we hypothesise that son-biases in fathering may (at least in part) be due to differences in the “returns to paternal caregiving” on children’s outcomes by sex. In this study, we investigate possible sex-differences in the associations between paternal caregiving throughout early childhood and children’s outcomes in stable, two-parent families. Using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, we test whether paternal caregiving is associated with different effects on children’s school test scores and behavioural difficulty by children’s sex. Overall, we find that paternal caregiving is associated with higher school test scores and lower behavioural difficulty scores, but the association between paternal caregiving and school test scores were stronger for boys. Our findings highlight possible sex-differences in returns to paternal caregiving for certain domains of child outcomes in England.

scholarly journals Infant temperament, early-childhood parenting, and early-adolescent development: Testing alternative models of Parenting × Temperament interaction

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Xiaoya Zhang ◽  
Kristina Sayler ◽  
Sarah Hartman ◽  
Jay Belsky
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Differential Susceptibility ◽  
Early Adolescent ◽  
Emotional Symptoms ◽  
Supportive Parenting ◽  
Parents And Children ◽  
Parameterized Model ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Childhood Parenting ◽  
Avon Longitudinal Study

Abstract Here we evaluate whether infant difficult temperament (6 months) functions as a vulnerability or more general plasticity factor when investigating effects of early-childhood parenting (8–42 months) on both positive and negative early-adolescent socioemotional development (age 8–11 years). Using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC, N = 14,541) and a re-parameterized model-testing approach to distinguish alternative person × environment conceptual models, results indicated that temperament × parenting interacted in predicting externalizing (i.e., hyperactivity, conduct problems), but not other behavior (i.e., emotional symptoms, peer problems), in a (weak) differential susceptibility manner. While more and less supportive parenting predicted, respectively, fewer and more behavior problems, it did so more strongly for children who were more difficult as infants.

scholarly journals Gestation at completion of prenatal questionnaires in ALSPAC

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 100
Author(s):  
Yasmin Iles-Caven ◽  
Kate Northstone ◽  
Jean Golding
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Parents And Children ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Time Critical ◽  
Avon Longitudinal Study ◽  
In Pregnancy ◽  
Made In

Enrolling a cohort in pregnancy can be methodologically difficult in terms of structuring data collection. For example, some exposures of interest may be time-critical while other (often retrospective) data can be collected at any point during pregnancy.  The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) is a prime example of a cohort where certain data were collected at specific time points and others at variable times depending on the gestation at contact.  ALSPAC aimed to enrol as many pregnant women as possible in a geographically defined area with an expected date of delivery between April 1991 and December 1992. The ideal was to enrol women as early in pregnancy as possible, and to collect information, when possible, at two fixed gestational periods (18 and 32 weeks). A variety of methods were used to enrol participants.   Approximately 80% of eligible women resident in the study area were enrolled. Gestation at enrolment ranged from 4-41 (median = 14) weeks of pregnancy. Given this variation in gestation we describe the various decisions that were made in regard to the timing of questionnaires to ensure that appropriate data were obtained from the pregnant women.  45% of women provided data during the first trimester, this is less than ideal but reflects the fact that many women do not acknowledge their pregnancy until the first trimester is safely completed. Data collection from women at specific gestations (18 and 32 weeks) was much more successful (80-85%). Unfortunately, it was difficult to obtain environmental data during the first trimester. Given the time critical nature of exposures during this trimester, researchers must take the gestational age at which environmental data was collected into account. This is particularly important for data collected using the questionnaire named ‘Your Environment’ (using data known as the A files).

scholarly journals Testing the principles of Mendelian randomization: Opportunities and complications on a genomewide scale

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Taylor ◽  
KE Tansey ◽  
DA Lawlor ◽  
J Bowden ◽  
DM Evans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variants ◽  
Mendelian Randomization ◽  
Phenotypic Correlation ◽  
Causal Relationships ◽  
Biological Phenomena ◽  
Parents And Children ◽  
Multiple Variables ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Avon Longitudinal Study ◽  
Gwas Catalog

ABSTRACTBackgroundMendelian randomization (MR) uses genetic variants as instrumental variables to assess whether observational associations between exposures and disease reflect causal relationships. MR requires genetic variants to be independent of factors that confound observational associations.MethodsUsing data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, associations within and between 121 phenotypes and 13,720 genetic variants (from the NHGRI-EBI GWAS catalog) were examined to assess the validity of MR assumptions.ResultsAmongst 7,260 pairwise comparisons between the 121 phenotypes, 2,188 (30%) provided evidence of association, where 363 were expected at the 5% level (observed:expected ratio=6.03; 95% CI: 5.42, 6.70; χ2=9682.29; d.f. =1, P≤1x10-50). Amongst 1,660,120 pairwise associations between phenotypes and genotypes, 86,748 (5.2%) gave evidence of association at the same threshold, where 83,006 were expected (observed:expected ratio=1.05; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.05; χ2=117.57; d.f. =1, P=2.15x10-27). Amongst 1,171,764 pairwise associations between the phenotypes and LD pruned independent genetic variants, 60,136 (5.1%) gave evidence of association, where 58,588 were expected (observed:expected ratio=1.03; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.08; χ2= 43.05; d.f. = 1, P=5.33x10-11).ConclusionThese results confirm previously observed patterns of phenotypic correlation. They also provide evidence of a substantially lower level of association between genetic variants and phenotypes, with residual inflation the likely product of indistinguishable real genetic association, multiple variables measuring the same biological phenomena, or pleiotropy. These results reflect the favorable properties of genetic instruments for estimating causal relationships, but confirm the need for functional information or analytical methods to account for pleiotropic events.

scholarly journals Abuse in Childhood and Cardiometabolic Health in Early Adulthood: Evidence From the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Goncalves Soares ◽  
Annie Zimmerman ◽  
Stan Zammit ◽  
Anke Karl ◽  
Sarah L. Halligan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Childhood Abuse ◽  
Early Adulthood ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Cardiometabolic Health ◽  
Screening Programs ◽  
Parents And Children ◽  
Avon Longitudinal Study

Background Although childhood abuse has been consistently associated with cardiovascular disease in later adulthood, its associations with cardiometabolic health in younger adults are poorly understood. We assessed associations between childhood physical, sexual, and psychological abuse and cardiometabolic outcomes at 18 and 25 years. Methods and Results We used data on 3223 participants of the ALSPAC (Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children). Exposure to childhood abuse was self‐reported retrospectively at 22 years. We used linear regression to assess the associations between childhood abuse and cardiometabolic outcomes at 18 and 25 years. At 18 years, physical (β 1.35 kg/m 2 ; 95% CI, 0.66–2.05), sexual (β 0.57 kg/m 2 ; 95% CI 0.04–1.11), and psychological (β 0.47 kg/m 2 ; 95% CI 0.01–0.92) abuse were associated with higher body mass index. Physical abuse was also associated with lower high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (β −0.07 mmol/L; 95% CI, −0.13 to −0.01) and higher C‐reactive protein (31%; 95% CI, 1%–69%), and sexual abuse was associated with higher heart rate (β 1.92 bpm; 95% CI 0.26–3.58). At age 25, all 3 types of abuse were additionally associated with higher insulin, and sexual abuse was associated with lower cholesterol (−0.14 mmol/L; 95% CI, −0.26 to −0.01). The age at which abuse occurred (<11or 11–17 years) had little influence on the associations, and when sex differences were evident, associations were stronger in men. Conclusions Childhood abuse is associated with negative cardiometabolic outcomes even by young adulthood. Further follow‐up will determine whether associations strengthen across the life course and whether sex differences persist, which is essential for targeting effective screening programs and early interventions in those who suffered abuse in childhood.

Girls in Gangs: Exploring Risk in a British Youth Context

2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (13) ◽  
pp. 1698-1717
Author(s):  
Zenta E. Gomez Auyong ◽  
Sven Smith ◽  
Christopher J. Ferguson
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
The United States ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Parents And Children ◽  
Community Risk ◽  
Community Environments ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Girls In Gangs ◽  
Community Risk Factors ◽  
Avon Longitudinal Study

The existing literature on gangs has largely focused on boys from the United States. Using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), this study investigated select individual, peer, and community risk factors that differentiate gang and nongang girls in the United Kingdom. We find that 48.3% of gang-involved youth were girls, and that gang girls commit more crime than nongang girls. Furthermore, girls who live in socially disorganized neighborhoods are more likely to be members of gangs. The current research suggests that focusing on girls’ community environments may be beneficial to reducing gangs in the United Kingdom.

scholarly journals Educational test scores among adolescents in three-generational households in 20 countries

2017 ◽  
Vol 51 ◽  
pp. 3-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antti Olavi Tanskanen ◽  
Mirkka Danielsbacka ◽  
Jani Erola
Keyword(s):  
Parental Involvement ◽  
Test Scores ◽  
International Student ◽  
Resource Competition ◽  
Child Outcomes ◽  
Student Assessment ◽  
International Student Assessment ◽  
Educational Test ◽  
Parental Time ◽  
Using Data

Grandparental presence is often found to associate with improved grandchild wellbeing. However, studies have shown that the effect is not always positive. This could be explained by the fact that in some circumstances grandparents compete with grandchildren over parental time resources. We studied the assumption using data from the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) from 20 Western countries (n=73,346 children at age 15). According to the results grandparental presence was associated with lower levels of parental involvement and decreased educational test scores among adolescents. Moreover, the results indicate that when the parental involvement is lower at the first place the grandparental presence tends to be associated with even weaker child outcomes. Finally, we found support that grandparental co-residence is a mediator of the association between parental involvement and child outcomes. These results are discussed with reference to the local resource competition model.

scholarly journals Epigenetic profiling of social communication trajectories and co-occurring mental health problems: a prospective, methylome-wide association study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Jolien Rijlaarsdam ◽  
Charlotte A. M. Cecil ◽  
Caroline L. Relton ◽  
Edward D. Barker
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Communication ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Communication Deficits ◽  
False Discovery ◽  
Parents And Children ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Avon Longitudinal Study

Abstract While previous studies suggest that both genetic and environmental factors play an important role in the development of autism-related traits, little is known about potential biological mechanisms underlying these associations. Using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), we examined prospective associations between DNA methylation (DNAm: nbirth = 804, nage 7 = 877) and trajectories of social communication deficits at age 8–17 years. Methylomic variation at three loci across the genome (false discovery rate = 0.048) differentiated children following high (n = 80) versus low (n = 724) trajectories of social communication deficits. This differential DNAm was specific to the neonatal period and not observed at 7 years of age. Associations between DNAm and trajectory membership remained robust after controlling for co-occurring mental health problems (i.e., hyperactivity/inattention, conduct problems). The three loci identified at birth were not replicated in the Generation R Study. However, to the best of our knowledge, ALSPAC is the only study to date that is prospective enough to examine DNAm in relation to longitudinal trajectories of social communication deficits from childhood to adolescence. Although the present findings might point to potentially novel sites that differentiate between a high versus low trajectory of social communication deficits, the results should be considered tentative until further replicated.

scholarly journals Gestation at completion of prenatal questionnaires in ALSPAC

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 100
Author(s):  
Yasmin Iles-Caven ◽  
Kate Northstone ◽  
Jean Golding
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Parents And Children ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Time Critical ◽  
Avon Longitudinal Study ◽  
In Pregnancy ◽  
Made In

Enrolling a cohort in pregnancy can be methodologically difficult in terms of structuring data collection. For example, some exposures of interest may be time-critical while other (often retrospective) data can be collected at any point during pregnancy. The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) is a prime example of such a cohort. ALSPAC aimed to enrol as many pregnant women as possible in a geographically defined area with an expected date of delivery between April 1991 and December 1992. The ideal was to enrol women as early in pregnancy as possible, and to collect information, when possible, at two fixed gestational periods (18 and 32 weeks). A variety of methods were used to enrol participants. Approximately 80% of eligible women resident in the study area were enrolled. Gestation at enrolment ranged from 4-41 (median = 14) weeks of pregnancy. Given this variation in gestation, we describe the various decisions that were made in regard to the timing of questionnaires to ensure that appropriate data were obtained from the pregnant women. 45% of women provided data during the first trimester; this is less than ideal but reflects the fact that many women do not acknowledge their pregnancy until the first trimester is safely completed. Data collection from women at specific gestations (18 and 32 weeks) was much more successful (80-85%). Unfortunately, it was difficult to obtain environmental data during the first trimester. Given the time critical nature of exposures during this trimester, researchers must take the gestational age at which environmental data was collected into account. This is particularly important for data collected using the questionnaire named ‘Your Environment’ (using data known as the A files).

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