The comparison of behavioral and emotional problems in children with a bipolar parent and children with healthy parents in Zahedan, Iran, 2011

Abstract

Aim of the study: Mental illness in parents can cause behavioral problems in children because of genetic contribution and their narrowed parenting capabilities. Organic and psychotic disease in mother and father can affect their role in family and rising up children with genetic tendency to bipolar disorder in family which have impaired competence to bringing up the children increases the risk of mental damages. Subject or material and methods: In this descriptive-cross sectional study 65 children of bipolar parents (case group) and 65 with healthy parents (control) where chosen with convenience sampling and compared with child behavior check list (CBCL).comparison of mean scores on CBCL scales between the two groups was performed by using statistical T test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Findings showed that the mean scores of CBCL were higher in case group than in control group and boys had higher scores than girls in case group. Significant relation between birth order and mean CBCL scores in anxiety, somatic complain, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and conduct disorder subscales was found (p<0.05) and CBCL mean scores in anxiety subscale had significant relation with duration of disorders in parents. (p<0.05). Discussion: The higher CBCL mean scores in bipolar parents' children than control group may suggest there is higher emotional and behavioral problems and increase in risk of bipolar disorder. Conclusions: Higher degree of emotional and behavioral problems in off springs of BMD patients may predict mood disorders in future.