A MULTIPLE-RISK INTERACTION-MODEL - EFFECTS OF TEMPERAMENT AND DIVORCE ON PSYCHIATRIC-DISORDERS IN CHILDREN

Effects of family status on the trajectory of problematic temperament- adjustment at I to 10 years of age and associated psychiatric disturba nce 8 years later were examined in an epidemiological sample of 648 ch ildren. After adjusting for predivorce temperament-adjustment and back ground factors, logistic regression yielded independent effects of sin gle custodial mother (SCM) family status for increased risk of disrupt ive and anxiety disorders, and of stepfamily status for increased risk of disruptive disorders. Increased risk of psychiatric disorders was more pervasive for SCM family boys versus intact family boys than for SCM family girls versus intact family girls, however only significantl y more so for depression. No significant sex interaction was observed for stepfamily status. When girls and boys were treated independently, patterns of family status and outcomes of internalizing disorders var ied. In stepfamilies, an elevated risk of depression and anxiety disor ders was observed in girls but not boys, whereas in SCM families an el evated risk of depression was observed in boys but not girls. Within e ach family status group there was support for an altered risk of later psychiatric disorders given specific problematic predivorce temperame nt-adjustment characteristics. Implications for future research and tr eatment are discussed.