Lisa-Christine Girard

• Wong, Jovia Hin Lam; Oncioiu, Sînziana-Ioana; Girard, Lisa-Christine; Séguin, Jean R.; Côté, Sylvana M. & Tremblay, Richard E. [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2025). Associations between childhood receptive vocabulary and suicide attempt during adolescence and young adulthood. Journal of Affective Disorders. ISSN 0165-0327. 391. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2025.119930. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Children's language skills are key to good socioemotional development. Higher childhood receptive language scores were associated with lower internalizing behavioural problems, but little is known about their association with later suicide risk. We investigated associations between childhood receptive vocabulary scores and youth suicide attempt.

• Girard, Lisa-Christine; Okolikj, Martin; Hysing, Mari & Sivertsen, Børge (2025). Lifetime prevalence of mental disorders and the costs for civic engagement among college and university students: Insights from the Norwegian SHoT2022 cohort. SSM - Mental Health (SSM-MH). 8. doi: 10.1016/j.ssmmh.2025.100519. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The high prevalence of mental disorders has become a globally pervasive social issue resulting in its placement as among one of the leading causes of the global burden of disease. Noteworthy, prevalence estimates of college and university students affected by mental disorders are, in particular, exceedingly high. This may have important consequences for early habit formation of civic engagement given the developmental period (e.g., first time eligible voters). Using data from the Students’ Health and Wellbeing study (SHoT2022) – a nationally representative survey of college/university students across Norway – we examine how lifetime prevalence of common mental disorders (i.e., major depressive episode, generalized anxiety disorder, and social anxiety disorder) impact upon politically-oriented (i.e., voting) and community-oriented participatory activities (e.g., sports, cultural clubs, student-democracy, special interest groups, professional associations or off campus volunteering). Our findings suggest nuanced associations, whereby students with a lifetime prevalence of social anxiety disorder are less likely to turnout to vote (average marginal effects [AMEs] are 2.5 percentage points lower for both the national and municipal level elections). Meanwhile, students with either generalized anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder are at risk of reduced participation in community-oriented activities (AMEs range from −1.5 to −2.3 percentage point across activities), and students with major depressive episode evidence both positive (participation in special interest groups equal to 2 percentage points) and negative (participation in sports equal to −1.5 percentage points) associations. Our results highlight the impact that lifetime prevalence of mental disorders, in particular anxiety disorders, may have on reducing mobilization into civic engagement (i.e., political- and community-oriented participatory activities) in college/university students.

• Raouna, Aigli; Girard, Lisa-Christine & MacBeth, Angus (2025). Modelling the associations between parental depressive symptoms, hypomanic traits, and infant socio-emotional development: The mediating role of parental reflective functioning. Journal of Affective Disorders. ISSN 0165-0327. 369, p. 995–1003. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.10.096. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Although understanding of maternal hypomania in the postpartum period is gradually improving, the intergenerational pathways of risk associated with hypomania in the context of postpartum depression remain unknown. It is also unclear whether distinct or shared pathways of risk exist for infants exposed to different parental mood characteristics and whether these pathways are mediated by parental reflective functioning. Methods An online survey was administered to 1788 parents (89 % mothers, 50 % White) who were primary caregivers of a child under 2. Structural equation modelling techniques were employed to model direct and indirect associations between parental depressive symptoms, hypomanic traits and infant socio-emotional development, investigating the mediating role of parental reflective functioning. Results Elevated levels of parental depressive symptoms, in the presence of hypomanic personality traits, were directly associated with infant socio-emotional challenges, without affecting parental reflective functioning. However, higher levels of parental hypomanic traits in the postnatal period displayed a fully mediated pathway of risk transmission to infants' socio-emotional development via their negative association with parental reflective functioning. Limitations Results should be interpreted with caution as the reliance on self-and-parent-reported scales may have introduced biases influenced by individual perceptions and situational factors. Additionally, the cross-sectional design of this study inhibits establishing cause-and-effect relationships. Conclusions Overall, these results highlight the critical role of both parental depressive symptoms and hypomanic traits on infant socio-emotional development, suggesting that supporting parental mood regulation and mentalizing abilities in the postnatal period could reduce the risk of early maladaptive socio-emotional trajectories in children.

• Okolikj, Martin & Girard, Lisa-Christine (2025). Longitudinal co-occurrence of adolescent mental health difficulties and democratic citizenship in early adulthood. Political Psychology. ISSN 0162-895X. 46(5), p. 1336–1363. doi: 10.1111/pops.13083. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Little is known about the link between childhood and adolescent mental health (MH) difficulties and political outcomes in adulthood. This represents an important knowledge gap in understanding early individual-level factors for future political outcomes. Using the Growing up in Ireland cohort, which follows 8568 children from 9 to 20 years, we examine how different MH difficulties, and their co-occurrence, are associated with various political outcomes. The results show childhood/adolescent MH difficulties are important predictors of political outcomes at age 20. Adolescents with chronic co-occurring MH difficulties starting in childhood report a lower interest in politics, lower trust in politicians, are less likely to register to vote, but if voting, are more likely to vote for an antiestablishment party. Adolescents with chronic emotional MH difficulties starting in childhood also report lower trust in politicians, are less likely to register to vote, and report a higher likelihood of voting for an antiestablishment party when voting. Additionally, they evidence lower levels of external political efficacy.

• Girard, Lisa-Christine; Bøe, Tormod; Nilsen, Sondre Aasen; Askeland, Kristin Gärtner & Hysing, Mari (2024). Developmental trajectories of conduct problems and time-varying peer problems: the Bergen child study. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. ISSN 0933-7954. 59, p. 2237–2246. doi: 10.1007/s00127-024-02644-y. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: While it is increasingly acknowledged that conduct problems and peer problems often co-occur in development, less is known about the ways in which peer problems may alter the developmental course of conduct problems for distinct subgroups. Methods: Using data from a large population-based study in Norway (the Bergen Child Study/youth@hordaland; 47.4% males), we estimated group-based trajectories of conduct problems and the presence of time-varying peer problems on the developmental progression of conduct problems between seven and 19 years of age. Risk factors for group membership were also examined. Results: A 3-group model of conduct problems best fit the data (non-engagers, low-engagers, moderate-stable). The presence of peer problems increased the estimated level of conduct problems for both the low-engagers and moderate-stable groups across adolescence. No differences in conduct problems were observed when peer problems were present in childhood or preadolescence for these two groups, nor for the non-engagers group at any point. Being male, having lower perceived economic wellbeing, and lower levels of parental education predicted group membership for the moderate-stable group, whilst lower paternal education predicted membership for the low-engagers group. Conclusions: Support for developmental ‘turning points’ was found, suggesting that adolescence is a particularly salient time for those with conduct problems. In particular, the presence of peer problems can increase observed conduct problems at this stage in development.

• Ross, Hannah Mercedes Araminta & Girard, Lisa-Christine (2023). Joint Developmental Trajectories of Conduct Problems and Hyperactivity/Inattention: Antecedent Risk Markers for Group Membership. Child Psychiatry and Human Development. ISSN 0009-398X. doi: 10.1007/s10578-023-01614-w. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Abstract This study investigated joint trajectories of conduct problems and hyperactivity/inattention from age three to nine in a cohort of 7,507 children in Ireland (50.3% males; 84.9% Irish). The parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire was used to collect information on conduct problems (CP) and hyperactivity/inattention (HI). Information regarding risk markers was collected when participants were nine-months-old via parent report and standardised assessments. Using a person-centred approach (i.e., group-based multi trajectory modelling), six trajectories were identified: no CP/low HI, low-stable CP/HI, low-declining CP/stable HI, desisting co-occurring CP/HI, pure-increasing HI, and high chronic co-occurring CP/HI. Specific risk markers for group membership included: male sex; birth complications; perceived difficult temperament; lower primary caregiver age and education level, and higher stress level; prenatal exposure to smoking, and indicators of lower socioeconomic status. Primary caregiver-child bonding and having siblings were protective markers against membership in elevated groups. Results suggest support for both ‘pure’ HI and co-occurring trajectories of CP and HI emerging in toddlerhood. However, no support was found for a ‘pure’ CP trajectory, which may support the suggestion that children on a persistent CP trajectory will have coexisting HI. Intervention efforts may benefit from starting early in life and targeting multiple risk markers in families with fewer resources.

• Girard, Lisa-Christine; Griffiths, Mark D.; Rossow, Ingeborg Margrete; Leino, Tony Mathias; Goudriaan, Anna E. & Smith, Otto Robert Frans [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2023). Temporal order of diagnosis between gambling disorder and substance use disorders: Longitudinal results from the Norwegian Patient Registry. Addictive Behaviors Reports. ISSN 2352-8532. 17, p. 1–5. doi: 10.1016/j.abrep.2023.100501. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Introduction Previous research has established co-occurrence between substance use disorders (SUDs) and gambling disorder (GD). Less well understood is the temporal sequencing of onset between these disorders, and in particular whether SUD is a risk factor for GD. The present study examined the temporal order between registered diagnoses of SUD and GD, stratified by sex. Methods A study with a longitudinal design using objective registry data drawn from the Norwegian Patient Registry was carried out. Among the patients with a registered diagnosis of GD between 2008 and 2018 (N = 5,131; males = 81.8%), those (who in addition) had a registered diagnosis of any SUD (n = 1,196; males = 82.1%) were included. The measures included a registered diagnosis using the ICD-10 of both GD (code F63.0) and SUDs (codes F10-F19) by a health care professional. Binomial tests were used to identify the temporal order between SUD(s) and GD. Co-occurring cases (i.e., cases diagnosed within the same month) were removed in the main analyses. Results Results showed a significant directional path from SUD to GD but no support for the reversed path (i.e., from GD to SUD). This finding was similar overall for (i) both males and females, (ii) when different SUDs (alcohol, cannabis, sedatives, and polysubstance) were examined individually, and (iii) when specifying a 12-month time-lag between diagnoses. Conclusions The findings suggest that experiencing SUD(s) is a risk marker for GD given the temporal precedence observed for patients in specialised healthcare services seeking treatment. These results should be considered alongside screening and prevention efforts for GD.

• Morales, María Francisca; MacBeth, Angus; Nagin, Daniel & Girard, Lisa-Christine (2023). Developmental trajectories of aggression, hyperactivity/inattention, and anxious depressed mood: co-occurring problems within a chilean context. Current Psychology. ISSN 1046-1310. 43. doi: 10.1007/s12144-023-04530-3. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The current study examined multi-trajectories of aggression, hyperactivity/inattention and anxious/depressed problems, along with associated risk factors for trajectory group membership, using a person-centred approach. The sample included 2,857 children (50.1% males) enrolled in the Chilean Encuesta Longitudinal de la Primera Infancia cohort. Maternal reports using the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) were completed when children were three, five and eleven years old. Information on risk/protective factors was collected using maternal reports and standardised assessments when children were aged three. Group-based multi-trajectory analysis was implemented. Results indicated that a five-group model best fit the data, with co-occurring symptoms across domains for all groups. Risk factors for membership of groups with the most elevated risk profiles included child sex, maternal age, single parent status, and maternal education, whilst children’s receptive language, maternal vocabulary skills, and not having early attendance in the educational system emerged as protective factors. These identified risk factors may be important targets for future intervention programmes in the Chilean context.

• Morales, María Francisca; Girard, Lisa-Christine; Sawrikar, Vilas & MacBeth, Angus (2023). An examination of behavioural and emotional problems in children exposed prenatally to the 27F Chilean earthquake: findings from the ELPI cohort. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. ISSN 0933-7954. 58, p. 1065–1073. doi: 10.1007/s00127-023-02433-z. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Purpose Associations between prenatal earthquake exposure and children’s mental health remain unclear. Moreover, there is a paucity of research using quasi-experimental statistical techniques to diminish potential selection bias. Thus, this study aimed to explore the impact of prenatal exposure to the Chilean earthquake of 2010 on children’s behavioural and emotional problems between 1½ and 3 years old using propensity score matching. Methods Participants included 1549 families from the Encuesta Longitudinal de la Primera Infancia cohort in Chile. Maternal reports using the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) were used to assess behavioural and emotional problems between 1½ and 3 years old. Information on prenatal earthquake exposure was collected via maternal report. The Kernel matching estimator was used to compare the average treatment effects of children who were exposed to the earthquake compared to those who were not. Results Five of the seven CBCL outcomes were statistically significant after matching and adjustment for multiple testing, suggesting greater difficulties for exposed children which included emotional reactivity, anxious/depressed, sleep problems, attention problems, and aggression (mean difference of 0.69, 0.87, 0.73, 0.85, 3.51, respectively). The magnitude of the effect was small to medium. Conclusion Findings contribute to the potential causal inferences between prenatal earthquake exposure and increased behavioural and emotional problems in early childhood. Results suggest that in utero experiences may have long-term consequences for infants’ well-being, supporting the need for specific interventions in pregnancy after natural disasters.

• Syvertsen, Andre; Erevik, Eilin K.; Fodstad, Elise Constance Grude; Girard, Lisa-Christine; Kaur, Puneet & Kristensen, Joakim Hellumbråten [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (2023). An empirical study on attitudes toward gambling when sportswashing is involved. Frontiers in Psychology. 14. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1147332. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Sportswashing is defined as individuals, groups, companies, or countries/regimes’ involvement in sports to improve their own reputation and/or to distract from or normalize wrongdoing. This cross-sectional survey is the first empirical study on sportswashing in relation to gambling. The sample consisted of United Kingdom residents who reported past 12-month gambling (N = 786, 50% women, mean age = 45.6, SD = 15.2). We investigated how many were familiar with sportswashing and their attitudes toward gambling when sportswashing is involved. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted on the attitudes scale that was developed for the current study. Multiple regressions were used to examine if individual differences in terms of age, gender, personality, moral foundations, political trust and efficacy, and/or gambling risk were associated with such attitudes. Finally, we examined the percentage of people who avoid gambling on teams/events when sportswashing is involved, including group differences in avoidance and motivations for avoidance according to gambling risk. The results showed that only 32% had heard about sportswashing prior to the survey. CFA indicated that attitudes toward sportswashing and gambling as conceptualized in the scale used in the current study can broadly be categorized into two dimensions: How individuals relate to sportswashing when gambling (“self-factor”) and how individuals think gambling companies and regulators should regulate sportswashing and gambling [an “external-factor,” p < 0.001, CFI = 0.0.996, RMSEA = 0.090, 90% CI (0.077, 0.104)]. Multiple regressions indicated that measures of individual differences explained a significant amount of variance in self-oriented (F (17, 765) = 7.19, p < 0.001, adjusted R2 = 0.12) and external-oriented (F (17, 765) = 8.40, p < 0.001. adjusted R2 = 0.14) attitude toward gambling and sportswashing. Avoidance of betting when sportswashing is involved was reported by 43%. The proportion was lower among those with moderate gambling risk/problem gambling (35%) compared to those with no/low gambling risk (45%). It is concluded that further scale development could help elucidate individual differences in attitudes toward sportswashing and gambling. Sportswashing remains an important social issue, and the present study indicates that this has high relevance for the gambling field.

• Morales, María Francisca; Girard, Lisa-Christine; Raouna, Aigli & MacBeth, Angus (2023). The association of different presentations of maternal depression with children’s socio-emotional development: A systematic review. PLOS Global Public Health. 3(2), p. e0001649–e0001649. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001649. Full text in Research Archive
• Girard, Lisa-Christine & Okolikj, Martin (2023). Trajectories of Mental Health Problems in Childhood and Adult Voting Behaviour: Evidence from the 1970s British Cohort Study. Political Behavior. ISSN 0190-9320. doi: 10.1007/s11109-022-09852-9. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The link between childhood mental health difficulties such as conduct problems and adult political abstention has been overlooked despite early mental health difficulties potentially resulting in political self-marginalisation. Using the1970s British Cohort Study, we estimate developmental trajectories of conduct problems (i.e., from 5 to 16 years). Logistic regression, linear probability models, and propensity score matching were then conducted to test the association between trajectory group membership and voter turnout at 30, 42, and 46 years of age. Three distinct trajectories of conduct problems were identified: a normative (n = 11,871; reference group), moderate-chronic (n = 3433), and elevated-chronic (n = 250) group. Results revealed an association between conduct problems and decreased turnout. In particular the elevated-chronic group had a decreased odds of voting of 52.2%, 52.0%, and 45.7%, as compared to the normative group at 30, 42, and 46 years respectively. The moderate-chronic group had a decreased odds of voting of 24.7% as compared to the normative group at age 30 only. Matched results and linear probability models substantiated findings, suggesting (1) the importance of considering childhood factors when examining antecedents of lifelong voting behaviour, and (2) the political self-marginalisation of people with chronic childhood conduct problems more than 3 decades later.

• Girard, Lisa-Christine; Leino, Tony Mathias; Griffiths, Mark D. & Pallesen, Ståle (2023). Income and gambling disorder: A longitudinal matched case-control study with registry data from Norway. SSM - Population Health. ISSN 2352-8273. 24, p. 1–7. doi: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2023.101504. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Untangling the association between gambling disorder (GD) and income is complex. Financial strain is often a consequence of GD. At the same time GD is more prevalent in the context of poverty, suggesting income may be a risk marker for GD. Aims The aim of the present study was to investigate whether income is a risk marker for GD and whether the longitudinal average predicted income for patients with GD between 2008 and 2018 compared to control groups. The study also explored the potential heterogeneity in income trajectories for patients with GD and associated characteristics. Methods A matched case-control longitudinal study was conducted using two Norwegian registries (i.e., the Norwegian Patient Registry and the Division of Welfare Statistics). A total of 65,771 participants were included, 5131 who were diagnosed with GD (cases), 30,467 diagnosed with any other psychiatric or somatic disorder (control), and 30,164 from the general population (control). Multinomial and ordinary least squares regressions, along with group-based trajectory models were estimated. Results Individuals with GD were more likely to have income levels in the bottom quartile of the nationally reported average income in 2008 compared to the general population. However, this was not observed in the psychiatric/somatic group. Both GD and psychiatric/somatic groups were less likely to have average/above average income compared to the general population. Expected income for patients with GD was below national averages between 2008 and 2018, with significant group differences identified. Estimated trajectories for patients with GD resulted in a seven-group model. Males were more likely to have membership in higher income groups, whereas females and younger GD patients were more likely to belong to trajectory groups with the lowest income. Conclusion The results suggest income is a risk marker for GD. Heterogeneity present across the income distribution for patients with GD, coupled with identifiable patient characteristics, may help in prediction and screening of GD.

• Morales, María Francisca; MacBeth, Angus; Swartzman, Samantha & Girard, Lisa-Christine (2022). Multi-Trajectories of Conduct Problems, Hyperactivity/Inattention, and Peer Problems Across Childhood: Results from the Growing Up in Scotland Birth Cohort. Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology. ISSN 2730-7166. 51(1), p. 69–69. doi: 10.1007/s10802-022-00956-8. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Abstract Using a person-centred approach, this study inspected multi-trajectories of conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention and peer problems, and associated risk factors for group membership. The sample included 3,578 children (50.8% males) from a population birth cohort in Scotland (Growing Up in Scotland). The parental version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used when children were 4, 5, 6, 7, and 10 years old. Antecedent factors at the perinatal, child, and family levels were collected using parental reports, observation, and standardised assessments at 10, 24, and 36 months. A group-based multi-trajectory analysis was employed. Findings showed that a six-group model best fit the data. Identified groups included non-engagers, normative, decreasing externalising/low peer problems, low externalising/moderate peer problems, moderate externalising/increasing peer problems and multimorbid moderate-high chronic. Findings suggest multimorbidity between externalising behaviours and peer problems in the more elevated groups. Two common protective factors emerged across all groups: caregiver mental health and parent-infant attachment. Identified risk factors were specific to group membership. Risk factors for the most elevated group included single-parent status, social deprivation, previous neonatal intensive care unit admission, child sex, whilst children’s expressive language was a protective factor. Taken together, findings contribute to the emerging literature modelling trajectories of externalising behaviours and peer problems simultaneously and have important practical implications for prevention of problems in childhood, by identifying targets at the perinatal, child, and family levels.

• Maciver, Lorna & Girard, Lisa-Christine (2022). The association between paternal depression and adolescent internalising problems: A test of parenting style as a mediating pathway. Current Psychology. ISSN 1046-1310. 42(24), p. 21226–21226. doi: 10.1007/s12144-022-03110-1. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Abstract Whilst there is a large evidence base demonstrating the impact of maternal depression on the development of adolescent internalising problems, less is known about the association between paternal depression and adolescent internalising problems, and the mechanisms through which risk is conferred. This study examined the association between paternal depression and adolescent internalising problems, investigating parenting style as a pathway through which this association may be mediated. Participants included 4048 families taking part in the Growing Up in Ireland child cohort study. Self-report measures of paternal depression were completed when the study child was aged 9. Adolescents assessed paternal demandingness, responsiveness and autonomy granting at the age of 13. Adolescent internalising symptoms were measured at the age of 17/18 by the primary caregiver. A parallel multiple mediator model was used to test the total and specific indirect effects of the three parenting styles, whilst controlling for covariates and other mediators in the model. A direct effect of paternal depression on adolescent internalising problems was found (B = .051, 95% CI: 0.020, 0.083). However, no support for mediation via any of the paternal parenting styles (i.e., responsiveness, demandingness, or autonomy-granting) were found. These findings build on an emerging evidence-base demonstrating a specific direct association between paternal depression and adolescent internalising problems, and suggest that interventions ought to also target fathers suffering from depression to help reduce the risk of adolescent internalising problems.

• Girard, Lisa-Christine (2021). Concomitant Trajectories of Internalising, Externalising, and Peer Problems Across Childhood: a Person-centered Approach. Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology. ISSN 2730-7166. 49(12), p. 1565–1565. doi: 10.1007/s10802-021-00851-8. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Abstract This study investigated trajectories of concomitant internalising, externalising, and peer problems, and associated risk factors for group-membership, using a person-centered approach to better understand heterogeneity in subgroups identified. A cohort of 7,507 children in Ireland was followed from infancy to late childhood (50.3%, males; 84.9% Irish). The parent-version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire was used when children were 3, 5, 7 and 9 years of age. Information on antecedent risk factors was collected when children were 9 months. Group-based multi-trajectory modelling and multinomial logistic regression were used. Six subgroups of children with distinct profiles were identified, evidencing both homotypic and heterotypic comorbidity. No support of a ‘pure’ internalising, externalising or peer problems group was found in any identified trajectory group. Difficulties in one problem domain indicated the presence of difficulty in another problem domain for all children in elevated groups. Risk factors associated with group-membership were complex, with only three common factors across elevated groups: prenatal exposure to smoking, maternal education, and maternal stress. Specific risk factors for group-membership included low birth weight, sex, maternal age, maternal depression, family composition, social class, medical card status and quality of attachment. Despite some overlap in predictors, the combination of predictors specific to each group would suggest tailored programming. For children with the most acute problems, programming targets should include families with boys, born with low birth weight, exposed to smoking prenatally, with mothers who have lower levels of education, postnatal depression, increased stress and fewer financial resources.

• Farkas, Chamarrita; Girard, Lisa-Christine & MacBeth, Angus (2021). Predictors of emotional problems in 5-year-old children: an international comparison between two cohorts in Chile and Scotland. Current Psychology. ISSN 1046-1310. 42(1), p. 405–405. doi: 10.1007/s12144-020-01336-5. Full text in Research Archive
• Morales, María Francisca; Girard, Lisa-Christine; Raouna, Aigli & MacBeth, Angus (2020). Systematic Review on the Impact of Different Presentations of Maternal Depression on Children's Socio-Emotional Development. Social Science Protocols. 3, p. 7–7. doi: 10.7565/ssp.v3.4498. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: Maternal depression from the perinatal period onwards is associated with an increased likelihood of suboptimal socio-developmental outcomes in offspring, with increasing interest in the extent to which sustained maternal depression impacts on these associations. The current protocol outlines the methodology of a systematic review to synthesise the evidence on the impact of maternal depression from the perinatal period onwards and offspring socio-emotional development, defined as internalising, externalising, and social competence outcomes. We aim to explore the effects of timing, chronicity and severity of maternal depression on outcomes, and identify sources of methodological bias. Methods/Design: The conduct and reporting of the protocol will adhere to PRISMA-P guidelines. The systematic review will be conducted using the following electronic databases: APA PsycInfo, EMBASE, MEDLINE. Grey literature will be searched from the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global database. Discussion: Findings from the systematic review will enhance knowledge around potential heterogeneity of timing, chronicity and severity of maternal depression and its impact on offspring socio-emotional development.

• Girard, Lisa-Christine & Farkas, Chamarrita (2019). Breastfeeding and behavioural problems: Propensity score matching with a national cohort of infants in Chile. BMJ Open. 9(2), p. 025058–025058. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025058. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Importance Potential effects of breast feeding on children’s behaviour remains an elusive debate given inherent methodological challenges. Propensity score matching affords benefits by ensuring greater equivalence on observable social and health determinants, helping to reduce bias between groups. Objectives We examined whether the duration of breast feeding had an impact on children’s externalising and internalising behaviours. Study design A cohort study (Encuesta Longitudinal de la Primera Infancia cohort) that included 3037 Chilean families who were enrolled in 2010. Follow-up data was collected in 2012. Setting General community. Participants Population-based sample. Eligibility criteria: children born full-term with complete data on matching variables. Matching variables included: healthcare system as a proxy of income, presence of a partner/spouse in the household, maternal age, educational level, IQ, working status, type of work, diagnosis of prenatal depression by a healthcare professional, smoking during pregnancy, delivery type, child sex, weight at birth, incubation following delivery, and child age. Exposure Duration of breast feeding. Main outcomes and measures Externalising and internalising problems assessed using the Child Behaviour Checklist. Results Matched results revealed benefits of any breast feeding, up to 6 months, on emotional reactivity and somatic complaints (mean difference of −1.00, 95% CI, −1.84 to −0.16 and −1.02, 95% CI, −1.76 to −0.28, respectively). Children breast fed between 7 and 12 months also had reduced scores on emotional reactivity, in addition to attention problems (mean difference of −0.86, 95% CI, −1.66 to −0.06 and −0.50, 95% CI, −0.93 to −0.07, respectively). No benefits were observed for children breast fed 13 months or more. Conclusion Reduced internalising difficulties and inattention were found in children breast fed up to a year, suggesting that breast feeding may have beneficial impacts on these areas of development. The magnitude of effect was modest. Extended durations of breast feeding did not appear to offer any benefits.

• Hymas, Rebecca & Girard, Lisa-Christine (2019). Predicting postpartum depression among adolescent mothers: A systematic review of risk. Journal of Affective Disorders. ISSN 0165-0327. 246, p. 885–885. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.12.041. Full text in Research Archive
• Farkas, Chamarrita & Girard, Lisa-Christine (2019). Breastfeeding initiation and duration in Chile: understanding the social and health determinants. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. ISSN 0143-005X. 73(7), p. 644–644. doi: 10.1136/jech-2018-211148. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Given the support for the numerous benefits of breastfeeding, a better understanding of social and health determinants is necessary, particularly in under-researched populations. We examined determinants of breastfeeding initiation and duration using a national cohort of Chilean mothers. Methods Participants included 13 738 families enrolled in the Encuesta Longitudinal de la Primera Infancia cohort. Data were collected in 2010 and 2012. Families from all regions of the country were considered. Breastfeeding information was collected via maternal report and standardised assessments were used to collect information on maternal IQ and personality. Logistic and linear regressions were used to identify predictors of breastfeeding initiation and duration. Results Breastfeeding was initiated by 95.2% of mothers. Variation in duration of breastfeeding was large, ranging from 1 to 48 months (M = 11.74; SD = 8.74). Maternal IQ, low-risk prenatal behaviours, conditions at birth and the presence of a partner were relevant predictors of both initiation and duration of breastfeeding, whereas personality and contextual/socioeconomic factors were relevant only for breastfeeding duration. Differences between regions were observed. Rates of caesarean deliveries are alarmingly high and triple that of the global WHO recommendations, at 45% of deliveries in Chile, which are implicated in both initiation and duration. Conclusions Breastfeeding rates exceed Chilean target goals although vary by region. Global targets now need to be focused on. Social and health determinants are implicated in both initiation and duration of breastfeeding. These findings suggest important targets for policy development and breastfeeding initiatives in Chile, particularly concerning the reduction of surgical deliveries.

• McFadden, Alison; Siebelt, Lindsay; Marshall, Joyce L.; Gavine, Anna; Girard, Lisa-Christine & Symon, Andrew [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2019). Counselling interventions to enable women to initiate and continue breastfeeding: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Breastfeeding Journal. 14(1). doi: 10.1186/s13006-019-0235-8. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Abstract Background Many infants worldwide are not breastfeeding according to WHO recommendations and this impacts on the health of women and children. Increasing breastfeeding is identified as a priority area supported by current policy targets. However, interventions are complex and multi-component and it is unclear which elements of interventions are most effective to increase breastfeeding in which settings. Breastfeeding counselling is often part of complex interventions but evidence is lacking on the specific effect of counselling interventions on breastfeeding practices. The aim of this systematic review is to examine evidence on effectiveness of breastfeeding counselling to inform global guidelines. Methods A systematic search was conducted of six electronic databases in January 2018. Randomised controlled trials comparing breastfeeding counselling with no breastfeeding counselling or different formulations of counselling were included if they measured breastfeeding practices between birth and 24 months after birth. Results From the 5180 records identified in searches and a further 11 records found by hand searching, 63 studies were included. Of these, 48 were individually-randomised trials and 15 were cluster-randomised trials. A total of 69 relevant comparisons were reported involving 33,073 women. There was a significant effect of counselling interventions on any breastfeeding at 4 to 6 weeks (Relative risk [RR] 0.85, 95% CI 0.77, 0.94) and 6 months (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.87, 0.94). Greater effects were found on exclusive breastfeeding at 4 to 6 weeks (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.72, 0.87) and 6 months (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.78, 0.91). Counselling delivered at least four times postnatally is more effective than counselling delivered antenatally only and/or fewer than four times. Evidence was mostly of low quality due to high or unclear risk of bias of the included trials and high heterogeneity. Conclusions Breastfeeding counselling is an effective public health intervention to increase rates of any and exclusive breastfeeding. Breastfeeding counselling should be provided face-to-face, and in addition, may be provided by telephone, both antenatally and postnatally, to all pregnant women and mothers with young children. To inform scale-up globally there is a need to further understand the elements of breastfeeding interventions such as counselling and their effectiveness in different contexts and circumstances. Study registration This systematic review was registered in Prospero ( CRD42018086494 ).

• Orri, Massimiliano; Girard, Lisa-Christine; Pingault, Jean-Baptiste; Rouquette, Alexandra; Herba, Catherine & Falissard, Bruno [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2018). Harsh parenting practices mediate the association between parent affective profiles and child adjustment outcomes: Differential associations for mothers and fathers. International Journal of Behavioral Development. ISSN 0165-0254. 43(1), p. 60–60. doi: 10.1177/0165025418769376. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Children’s early emotional environment strongly influences their later behavioural development. Yet, besides maternal depression, limited knowledge exists about the effect of other emotions and the role of fathers. Using 290 triads (mother/father/child), we investigated how positive (SEEKING, CARING, PLAYFULNESS) and negative (FEAR, ANGER, SADNESS) dimensions of mothers’ and fathers’ affectivity relate to their offspring’s externalizing and internalizing behaviours directly as well as indirectly via parenting practices. Parental variables were measured when children were 4 years old and children’s behaviours were measured at 8 years of age. Latent Profile Analysis identified three parental affective profiles: low negative emotions, balanced, and high emotional. Structural equation models showed that, for boys, mothers’ low negative emotions and high emotional profiles predicted later internalizing behaviours (direct effect; β = −0.21 and β = 0.23), while fathers’ low negative emotions profile predicted externalizing behaviours indirectly (β = −0.10). For girls, mothers’ profiles ( low negative emotions and high emotional) predicted both internalizing (β = −0.04 and β = 0.07) and externalizing (β = −0.05 and β = 0.09) behaviours indirectly, but no effects of fathers’ profiles were found. Mothers’ and fathers’ affective profiles contributed to the behavioural development of their offspring in different ways, according to the type of behaviour (internalizing or externalizing) and the child’s sex. These findings may help in tailoring existing parenting interventions on affective profiles, thus enhancing their efficacy.

• Girard, Lisa-Christine; Tremblay, Richard E.; Nagin, Daniel & Côté, Sylvana M. (2018). Development of Aggression Subtypes from Childhood to Adolescence: a Group-Based Multi-Trajectory Modelling Perspective. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology. ISSN 0091-0627. 47(5), p. 838–838. doi: 10.1007/s10802-018-0488-5. Full text in Research Archive
• Girard, Lisa-Christine; Doyle, Orla & Tremblay, Richard E. (2017). Breastfeeding, Cognitive and Noncognitive Development in Early Childhood: A Population Study. Pediatrics. ISSN 0031-4005. 139(4). doi: 10.1542/peds.2016-1848. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is mixed evidence from correlational studies that breastfeeding impacts children’s development. Propensity score matching with large samples can be an effective tool to remove potential bias from observed confounders in correlational studies. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of breastfeeding on children’s cognitive and noncognitive development at 3 and 5 years of age. METHODS: Participants included ∼8000 families from the Growing Up in Ireland longitudinal infant cohort, who were identified from the Child Benefit Register and randomly selected to participate. Parent and teacher reports and standardized assessments were used to collect information on children’s problem behaviors, expressive vocabulary, and cognitive abilities at age 3 and 5 years. Breastfeeding information was collected via maternal report. Propensity score matching was used to compare the average treatment effects on those who were breastfed. RESULTS: Before matching, breastfeeding was associated with better development on almost every outcome. After matching and adjustment for multiple testing, only 1 of the 13 outcomes remained statistically significant: children’s hyperactivity (difference score, –0.84; 95% confidence interval, –1.33 to –0.35) at age 3 years for children who were breastfed for at least 6 months. No statistically significant differences were observed postmatching on any outcome at age 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Although 1 positive benefit of breastfeeding was found by using propensity score matching, the effect size was modest in practical terms. No support was found for statistically significant gains at age 5 years, suggesting that the earlier observed benefit from breastfeeding may not be maintained once children enter school.

• Sarot, A.; Girard, Lisa-Christine; Chomentowski, M.; Revah-Lévy, A.; Falissard, B. & Moro, M.-R. (2017). L’insertion scolaire des élèves issus de l’immigration – enjeux et perspectives de prévention. Neuropsychiatrie de l'enfance et de l'adolescence. ISSN 0222-9617. 65(3), p. 187–187. doi: 10.1016/j.neurenf.2017.03.006. Full text in Research Archive
• Girard, Lisa-Christine; Doyle, Orla & Tremblay, Richard E. (2017). Breastfeeding and externalising problems: a quasi-experimental design with a national cohort. European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. ISSN 1018-8827. 27(7), p. 884–884. doi: 10.1007/s00787-017-1085-9. Full text in Research Archive
• Girard, Lisa-Christine; Ginsberg, Stephen D; Côté, Sylvana M.; Lauzon-Guillain, Blandine de; Dubois, Lise & Falissard, Bruno [Show all 14 contributors for this article] (2016). Factors Associated with Breastfeeding Initiation: A Comparison between France and French-Speaking Canada. PLOS ONE. 11(11), p. 0166946–0166946. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0166946. Full text in Research Archive
• Girard, Lisa-Christine; Doyle, Orla & Tremblay, Richard E. (2016). Maternal warmth and toddler development: support for transactional models in disadvantaged families. European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. ISSN 1018-8827. 26(4), p. 507–507. doi: 10.1007/s00787-016-0913-7. Full text in Research Archive
• Girard, Lisa-Christine; Pingault, Jean-Baptiste; Doyle, Orla; Falissard, Bruno & Tremblay, Richard E. (2016). Expressive language and prosocial behaviour in early childhood: Longitudinal associations in the UK Millennium Cohort Study. European Journal of Developmental Psychology. ISSN 1740-5629. 14(4), p. 398–398. doi: 10.1080/17405629.2016.1215300. Full text in Research Archive
• Girard, Lisa-Christine; Pingault, Jean-Baptiste; Doyle, Orla; Falissard, Bruno & Tremblay, Richard E. (2015). Developmental Associations Between Conduct Problems and Expressive Language in Early Childhood: A Population-Based Study. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology. ISSN 0091-0627. 44(6), p. 1043–1043. doi: 10.1007/s10802-015-0094-8. Full text in Research Archive
• Girard, Lisa-Christine; Latzman, Robert D.; Pingault, Jean-Baptiste; Falissard, Bruno; Boivin, Michel & Dionne, Ginette [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2014). Physical Aggression and Language Ability from 17 to 72 Months: Cross-Lagged Effects in a Population Sample. PLOS ONE. 9(11), p. 112185–112185. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112185. Full text in Research Archive
• Girard, Lisa-Christine; Girolametto, Luigi; Weitzman, Elaine & Greenberg, Janice (2013). Educators' Literacy Practices in Two Emergent Literacy Contexts. Journal of Research in Childhood Education. ISSN 0256-8543. 27(1), p. 60–60. doi: 10.1080/02568543.2012.739591. Full text in Research Archive
• Girard, Lisa-Christine & Girolametto, Luigi (2013). Investigating the relationship between social behaviors and phonological awareness in preschool children. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology. ISSN 0193-3973. 34(3), p. 130–130. doi: 10.1016/j.appdev.2013.01.002. Full text in Research Archive
• Girard, Lisa-Christine; Girolametto, Luigi; Weitzman, Elaine & Greenberg, Janice (2011). Training Early Childhood Educators to Promote Peer Interactions: Effects on Children's Aggressive and Prosocial Behaviors. Early Education and Development. ISSN 1040-9289. 22(2), p. 323–323. doi: 10.1080/10409281003668060. Full text in Research Archive

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