Change in Maladaptive Behavior Affects Intergenerational Relationships in Fragile X Syndrome.
Emily Lorang, Jinkuk Hong, Leann Smith DaWalt and 1 others
PMID 35443052WHAT IT FOUND
Over 7.5 years, decreases in maladaptive behaviors in adolescents and adults with Fragile X Syndrome predicted increases in maternal positivity more strongly than the reverse.
Mothers of sons and daughters with fewer behavior problems described them more positively, suggesting behavior change may precede relational improvement.
Key findings
01Change in internalized, externalized, and asocial maladaptive behaviors significantly predicted Time 4 maternal positive remarks, with the effect from behavior to positivity being stronger than the reverse.
02Change in asocial maladaptive behaviors predicted relationship quality more strongly than relationship quality predicted asocial behaviors.
03No bidirectional effects were observed between maternal critical remarks and any domain of maladaptive behaviors.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The sample was restricted to co-residing mother-child dyads, so findings do not generalize to those living apart. The study included only mothers, excluding father-child dynamics. The sample lacked racial and ethnic diversity. Maternal positivity and criticism were measured via speech samples rather than direct observation of parent-child interactions. The original causal pathways began before the study's first time point, so early developmental factors are not captured.
Declared interests
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The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that interventions targeting maternal positivity directly cause reductions in maladaptive behaviors. The study found that changes in the child's behavior predicted changes in the mother's positivity more strongly than the reverse, suggesting that behavior management may be a more effective initial target for improving family dynamics than trying to alter the mother's affective expression first.