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Below average cognitive ability: an under researched risk factor for emotional-behavioural difficulties in childhood

Bowe, Andrea K. ORCID: 0000-0002-1874-234X, Staines, Anthony ORCID: 0000-0001-9161-1357 and Murray, Deirdre M. ORCID: 0000-0002-2201-9912 (2021) Below average cognitive ability: an under researched risk factor for emotional-behavioural difficulties in childhood. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (24). ISSN 1660-4601

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Abstract

Children with below average cognitive ability represent a substantial yet under-researched population for whom cognitive and social demands, which increase in complexity year by year, may pose significant challenges. This observational study examines the longitudinal relationship between early cognitive ability and emotional-behavioral difficulties (EBDs) between the age of three and nine. Participants include 7134 children from the population-based cohort study growing up in Ireland. Cognitive ability was measured at age three using the Picture Similarities Scale. A t-score one to two standard deviations below the mean was defined as below average cognitive ability (n = 767). EBDs were measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) at three, five, and nine years of age. Generalized linear mixed models and logistic regression were used to examine the relationship. Below average cognitive ability was an independent predictor of higher longitudinal SDQ scores. After adjustment, children with below average cognitive ability were 1.39 times more likely (AOR 1.39, 95% CI 1.17–1.66, p < 0.001) to experience a clinically significant EBD between the ages of three to nine years. This study demonstrates the increased risk of EBDs for children with below average cognitive ability. A scalable method of early identification of at-risk children should be a research priority for public health, enabling early intervention for cognitive and adaptive outcomes.

Item Type:Article (Published)
Refereed:Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords:early intervention; cognitive ability; emotional-behavioral function
Subjects:UNSPECIFIED
DCU Faculties and Centres:DCU Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Science and Health > School of Nursing, Psychotherapy & Community Health
Publisher:MDPI
Official URL:https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182412923
Copyright Information:© 2021 The Authors. Open Access (CC-BY4.0)
Funders:Irish Clinical Academic Training (ICAT) Program, supported by the Welcome Trust and the Health Research Board (Grant Number 203930/B/16/Z), the Health Service Executive, National Doctors Training and Planning and the Health and Social Care, Research and D
ID Code:27560
Deposited On:15 Aug 2022 14:40 by Thomas Murtagh . Last Modified 15 Aug 2022 14:40

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