Bibliographic Details
| Title: |
Maternal age, autistic-like traits and mentalizing as predictors of child autistic-like traits in a population-based cohort |
| Authors: |
Novika Purnama Sari, Pauline W. Jansen, Laura M. E. Blanken, Amber N. V. Ruigrok, Peter Prinzie, Henning Tiemeier, Simon Baron-Cohen, Marinus H. van IJzendoorn, Tonya White |
| Source: |
Molecular Autism, Vol 13, Iss 1, Pp 1-11 (2022) |
| Publisher Information: |
BMC, 2022. |
| Publication Year: |
2022 |
| Collection: |
LCC:Neurology. Diseases of the nervous system |
| Subject Terms: |
Maternal age, Mentalizing, Autistic-like traits, Children, Neurology. Diseases of the nervous system, RC346-429 |
| More Details: |
Abstract Background Many empirical studies suggest that higher maternal age increases the likelihood of having an autistic child. However, little is known about factors that may explain this relationship or if higher maternal age is related to the number of autistic-like traits in offspring. One possibility is that mothers who have a higher number of autistic-like traits, including greater challenges performing mentalizing skills, are delayed in finding a partner. The goal of our study is to assess the relationship between maternal age, mentalizing skills and autistic-like traits as independent predictors of the number of autistic-like traits in offspring. Methods In a population-based study in the Netherlands, information on maternal age was collected during pre- and perinatal enrolment. Maternal mentalizing skills and autistic-like traits were assessed using the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test and the Autism Spectrum Quotient, respectively. Autistic-like traits in children were assessed with the Social Responsiveness Scale. A total of 5718 mother/child dyads had complete data (M agechild = 13.5 years; 50.2% girls). Results The relationship between maternal age and autistic-like traits in offspring best fits a U-shaped curve. Furthermore, higher levels of autistic features in mothers are linked to higher levels of autistic-like traits in their children. Lower mentalizing performance in mothers is linked to higher levels of autistic-like traits in their children. Limitations We were able to collect data on both autistic-like traits and the mentalizing skills test in a large population of mothers, but we did not collect these data in a large number of the fathers. Conclusions The relationships between older and younger mothers may have comparable underlying mechanisms, but it is also possible that the tails of the U-shaped curve are influenced by disparate mechanisms. |
| Document Type: |
article |
| File Description: |
electronic resource |
| Language: |
English |
| ISSN: |
2040-2392 |
| Relation: |
https://doaj.org/toc/2040-2392 |
| DOI: |
10.1186/s13229-022-00507-4 |
| Access URL: |
https://doaj.org/article/242cfb920d2042148b26e18da61b2b3e |
| Accession Number: |
edsdoj.242cfb920d2042148b26e18da61b2b3e |
| Database: |
Directory of Open Access Journals |
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