Environmental factors and polygenic risk score for psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders in children with dyslexia

Abstract Child and adolescent externalizing problems have often been conceptualized broadly with imprecise language (e.g., “disruptive behavior”) or inconsistently across varying taxonomies (e.g., oppositional defiant and conduct disorder symptoms, aggressive and rule-breaking behaviors). Establishing clarity around dimensions of externalizing problems is an essential step toward more accurate measurement and construct validity across the externalizing domain. To that end, the current study investigated fine-grained dimensions in the structure of youth externalizing psychopathology. Caregiver-report survey data were collected for a national community sample of 576 youth (ages 6–14; 45% female, 25% Hispanic), including measures of irritability, oppositionality, reactive and proactive aggression, conduct problems, hyperactivity/impulsivity, and inattention. We used exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to examine relations among externalizing dimensions at the item-level followed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to examine relations at the construct-level. EFA results suggested that a 3-factor model best fit the data, including factors characterized by externalizing affect (e.g., “felt mad”), externalizing behavior (e.g., “bullies, threatens, or intimidates others”), and ADHD symptoms (e.g., “talks excessively”), with a few cross-loadings. Similarly, confirmatory models indicated that a 3-factor, non-hierarchical structure fit the data best when compared to three other models. Results provide support for distinct facets of the externalizing spectrum in child psychopathology, suggesting a preliminary direction for a unifying framework. These findings highlight the potential for future measurement research to further disentangle the distinct and overlapping facets of externalizing constructs, particularly using multiple methods and informants and with replication across samples.

Abstract We investigated public beliefs about the extent to which mental disorders are perceived to be part of the true self, that is, the set of traits and behaviors that compose one’s core character. We conducted three quantitative vignette-based studies (total n = 601) in UK general public samples, considering seven disorders (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anorexia nervosa, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)). For each disorder, participants rated how much the disorder reflects the vignette character’s true self, along with perceived causes of the disorders (studies 1 and 2), perceived severity, age of onset, duration, probability of recovery (study 2), and stigmatization (study 3). Disorders differed sharply in the extent to which they were judged to be part of the true self: ADHD, ASD, and OCD received higher true self ratings than major depressive disorder, anorexia nervosa, and schizophrenia, with bipolar disorder intermediate. A disorder was rated more ‘true self’ when it was: perceived as more “biologically” caused; less “psychologically” caused; less severe; and recovery was perceived as less likely. Although the extent of stigmatization also varied across disorders, true self ratings did not predict stigmatization. Our results show that the public thinks about different mental disorders in quite different ways, suggesting that different disorders should not be lumped together when considering attitudes and their consequences.

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is associated with elevated rates of anxiety and depression, as well as reduced quality of life, yet the mechanisms linking motor difficulties to these outcomes remain incompletely specified. This article presents and critically evaluates the Integrated Stress-Adaptation Framework for DCD (ISAF-DCD), which synthesizes empirical findings on DCD with established stress theories, including the Environmental Stress Hypothesis, the transactional model of stress, and the Conservation of Resources model. Although the framework is presented with reference to comorbid neurodevelopmental conditions broadly, its evidential basis and worked examples concentrate specifically on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD); generalization to other neurodevelopmental conditions is plausible but has not been evaluated here. ISAF-DCD proposes that motor coordination difficulties influence mental, cognitive, and physical health through interacting environmental demands, primary and secondary stressors, appraisal and response processes, and personal and social factors. The framework is bidirectional and developmentally sensitive, allowing outcomes to feed back into subsequent stress and adaptation processes across the lifespan. I examine the model’s conceptual coherence, empirical support, and potential clinical utility, arguing that ISAF-DCD offers a theoretically grounded heuristic for organizing a fragmented literature while remaining provisional. Its proposed contributions include clarifying the multiple roles of resilience and social support, refining the classification of environmental demands, incorporating neurodevelopmental comorbidity as a cross-cutting factor, and representing reciprocal relationships between stress and motor functioning. To improve falsifiability, I specify the temporal and functional roles of key dual-role constructs and derive five core, empirically distinguishable propositions that differentiate ISAF-DCD from an expanded Environmental Stress Hypothesis. Direct empirical support for some components, particularly the proposed corticolimbic mechanisms, remains limited. ISAF-DCD should therefore be treated as a hypothesis-generating framework, focused primarily on ADHD and ASD as comorbid conditions and on mental health as its central but not exclusive outcome domain, that requires rigorous longitudinal and intervention-based evaluation.

Abstract Suicidal thoughts and behaviours (STB) span ideation (SI), attempt (SA), and death (SD), yet the factors distinguishing ideation from attempt remain poorly understood. Genome-wide studies suggest shared yet partially distinct genetic liabilities. However, few analyses have tested the differential contributions of SI-, SA-, and SD-related genetic liability across STB phenotypes, particularly in high-risk mood-disorder populations. We analysed up to 17,622 participants from the Australian Genetics of Depression Study and the Australian Genetics of Bipolar Disorder study, jointly modelling polygenic scores (PGS) for SI, SA, and SD across mutually exclusive STB phenotypes using multinomial regression, alongside dimensional outcomes, age of onset, and the ideation-to-attempt transition. SI-PGS and SA-PGS showed independent and distinct associations: SI-PGS showed reduced odds of SI-only but increased odds of SI + SA, and SA-PGS robustly predicted attempt-related outcomes. Transition models captured the clearest clinical signal: SA-PGS predicted a 23% higher odds of attempt among ideators, with absolute risk differences of 9–12% between the top and bottom deciles—larger than those of the onset models (5–7%). Predictive discrimination improved incrementally (ΔAUC ≈ 0.02–0.03; ΔC ≈ 0.01). SD-PGS showed no robust effects. Sex-stratified analyses yielded broadly consistent findings across sexes. These findings support ideation-to-action models at the genetic level, demonstrating partially distinct polygenic liabilities for ideation and attempt. Although absolute predictive utility remains modest, these results indicate that PGS sharpen the stratification of ideators at risk of attempt, providing incremental value for future integrative risk models that combine genetics with mood disorders and environmental predictors.

Caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disorders experience significant multifaceted burdens. However, little qualitative research has been done to explore caregivers’ lived experiences in relation to the effect of burden and coping strategies in the study area. The study sought to investigate caregivers’ awareness problems, coping mechanisms, and support systems in caring for children with neurodevelopmental disorders in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The study was conducted in three public, non-teaching hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Using a descriptive phenomenological technique. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 purposively selected caregivers. The data was analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase framework technique. The analysis found six interrelated themes: Awareness and Perception of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs), Emotional Responses to Diagnosis and Adaptation, Caregiving Roles and Responsibilities, Multidimensional Burden and Challenges, Coping Strategies and Adaptation Mechanisms, and Support Systems and Structural Barriers. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory was used to explain how personal, institutional, and systemic factors explain participants’ experiences and interpret caregiving realities. These findings underscore the call for integrated and collaborative efforts to address individual and system-level challenges among caregivers. Enhancing support systems, mitigating stigma, and correcting systemic inadequacies can improve caregiver well-being and optimize care for children with NDDs.