Study of the Psychological Development of Children of Parents With and Without Affective Disorders

This research study is the continuation of a study started more than 20 years ago. The study was designed to explore the effect that depressed parents have on their children and to better understand the factors that contribute to depression development and maintenance.

The study will continue to investigate if children have certain characteristics in early and middle childhood that predict the later development of psychological disorders.

In addition, the study will continue looking at the processes responsible for the development of children of parents with and without affective (mood) disorders.

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Key information

Conditions

Bipolar Disorder Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Bipolar and Related Disorders Depression Depressive Disorder Depressive Disorder, Major Involutional Depression Mental Disorders Mood Disorder Mood Disorders

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

About this study

The psychological development of offspring of parents with and without affective disorder is assessed from early childhood to young adulthood. Parents with a diagnosis of major depression or bipolar illness and well parents and their children are studied (SADS-L, RDC, and SCID, DSM-III). A sibling pair is studied in each family. Parent-child interaction is investigated through direct observation of behavior in naturalistic and controlled settings. Family history information is obtained through parent interviews. Behavioral observations, standard tests, physical examinations, and psychiatric interviews, and MRI procedures provide multiple assessments of the offspring. The study has been completed through preadolescence, adolescence, and late adolescence. Follow-up in young adulthood continues.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Patients will be drawn from an ongoing longitudinal study begun in 1979 of offspring of parents with affective illness (unipolar and bipolar) and children of normal control parents.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Nih

Registry information

Official study title

Affective Disorders and Affective Development: A Study of Child Rearing and Child Development in Normal Families and Families With Affective Disorders

Important dates

Study start: 1979
Study completion: 2005
First posted: Nov 4, 1999
Registry last updated: Mar 4, 2008

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed