Seven male children who each had a manic-depressive parent (five alos
had a parent with unipolar depression) and 12 control children were
studied. The proband children had shown a range of adjustment problems as
infants and toddlers. Four years later, they continued to have substantial
behavior problems, including ones that could be classified as DSM-III
psychiatric diagnoses. On the basis of psychiatric interviews and
psychological assessments, the proband children received more DSM-III
diagnoses than the control children. Proband children reported
internalizing symptoms; this pattern was corroborated by their mothers, who
also characterized these children as showing antisocial behavior
patterns.Abstract Teaser