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Change in the Behavioral Phenotype of Adolescents and Adults with FXS: Role of the Family Environment

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Abstract

The present study examined trajectories of adaptive behavior, behavior problems, psychological symptoms, and autism symptoms in adolescents and adults with fragile X syndrome (n = 147) over a three-year period. Adaptive behavior significantly increased over time, particularly for adolescents, and the severity of behavior problems decreased over time. Family environmental factors predicted phenotypic variables net of gender, intellectual disability status, and medication use. Maternal warmth was associated with higher levels of adaptive behavior, lower levels of autism symptoms, and decreases in behavior problems over time. Maternal depressive symptoms and criticism were associated with higher levels of psychological symptoms. Implications for interventions are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to the IDDRC at the University of North Carolina (P30 HD003100-S1) to support a Fragile X Research Center. The Fragile X Research Center has three additional sites (Research Triangle Institute International, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and University of Kansas). The present analysis was based on data collected at the UW-Madison Waisman Center site (M. Mailick, PI). We are extremely grateful to the families who participated in this study; without their generous support and commitment, our research would not be possible. We are also grateful for the support we received from the Waisman Center (P30 HD03352, A. Messing, PI).

Author Contributions

LS participated in analysis, led the interpretation of the data and drafting of the manuscript. JH led statistical analysis and participated in data interpretation and drafting the manuscript. JS and MM conceived and designed the study, participated in analysis and interpretation of the data and drafting of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, 1500 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53705, USA

    Leann E. Smith, Jinkuk Hong, Jan S. Greenberg & Marsha R. Mailick

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  1. Leann E. Smith
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  2. Jinkuk Hong
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  3. Jan S. Greenberg
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  4. Marsha R. Mailick
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Correspondence to Leann E. Smith.

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Smith, L.E., Hong, J., Greenberg, J.S. et al. Change in the Behavioral Phenotype of Adolescents and Adults with FXS: Role of the Family Environment. J Autism Dev Disord 46, 1824–1833 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-016-2714-8

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