The Role of Emotion in the Development of Psychopathology

The dysregulated experience and expression of emotion is implicated in psychiatric disorders associated both with externalizing problems (aggressive, antisocial behaviors) and internalizing problems (anxiety, depression). Adolescence is a critical juncture in the development of these disorders because of the increased incidence and differentiation of clinical problems during this time period. This is a biobehavioral, longitudinal investigation of the role of emotion in the development of psychopathology in adolescence. The focus is on socialization experiences and biological processes that contribute to emotion dysregulation and disorder in male and female youths between 11 and 16 years of age. Groups studied include (1) comorbid externalizers and internalizers, (2) externalizers only, (3) internalizers only, and (4) asymptomatic youth. The adolescents are assessed again two years later, with instruments and paradigms similar to those used at Time 1. One theme pertains to the integration and disconnection of emotions across systems (e.g., physiological and self-report of experience), and how different patterns of emotion relate to psychopathology. A second theme pertains to development changes in how disorders are manifested (e.g., increased differentiation along gender specific pathways). The anticipated number of patient days per year is 240 for adolescents and mothers, and 120 days for fathers.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Detailed Description

Dysregulated emotions are central features of psychiatric disorders associated with both externalizing problems (aggressive, antisocial behaviors) and internalizing problems (anxiety, depression). Adolescence is a critical juncture in the development of these disorders because of the increased incidence and differentiation of clinical problems particularly along gender-based lines. This is a biobehavioral, longitudinal investigation of the role of emotion in the development of psychopathology in adolescence. The focus is on socialization experiences and biological processes that contribute to emotion dysregulation and disorder. Younger (11-13) years) and older (14-16 years) male and female adolescents are followed over time to assess outcomes (psychiatric and psychological problems; adaptive functioning). Groups studied include (1) comorbid externalizers and internalizers, (2) externalizers, (3) internalizers, and (4) asymptomatic youth. Longitudinal analyses will examine factors that contribute to continuation, exacerbation, shifts, or improvement in symptoms over time. Time 1 data collection is complete and 30% of Time 2 cases have been seen. The current anticipated number of patient days per year is 150 for adolescents and mothers. Data collection will be completed by January, 2003.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment

1200

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

    • Maryland
      • Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892
        • National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child
  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

INCLUSION CRITERIA

Subjects and their families will be recruited from the community.

Inclusionary criteria will be based on mother and youth report of (a) emotion regulation problems and (b) the presence of subclinical or clinical symptomatology based on broad-band scales of the Youth Self-Report or mother's report of behavior problems.

Individuals meeting entry criteria will be offered entry into the study, and others will be notified.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

A debilitating physical impairment (e.g., seizure disorder, cerebral palsy, head trauma).

Significant intellectual impairment (i.e., IQ less than 70).

History of psychosis.

Any condition that would impair a participant's ability to respond to the study's paradigms will be excluded from this study at the time of screening.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

May 1, 1997

Study Completion

May 1, 2003

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

November 3, 1999

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

November 3, 1999

First Posted (Estimate)

November 4, 1999

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

March 4, 2008

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 3, 2008

Last Verified

May 1, 2003

More Information

Terms related to this study

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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