Evaluating the relationship between caregiver depression, social support, and children’s internalizing and externalizing symptoms in families affected by 22q11.2 deletion syndrome
Abstract Background 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (22q11DS) is the most common microdeletion syndrome. It exhibits broad phenotypic variability, often including conditions like autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability. Caregivers of children with 22q11DS are known to be at increased risk of...
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BMC
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13023-025-03955-2 |
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| author | Holly Carbyn Abiaz Hossain Raquel L. Dias Lisa D. Palmer Sophie Ayoub Patricia Lingley-Pottie Patrick J. McGrath Andrea L. Rideout Andrea Shugar Cheryl Cytrynbaum Donna M. McDonald-McGinn Ann Swillen Anne S. Bassett Sandra Meier |
| author_facet | Holly Carbyn Abiaz Hossain Raquel L. Dias Lisa D. Palmer Sophie Ayoub Patricia Lingley-Pottie Patrick J. McGrath Andrea L. Rideout Andrea Shugar Cheryl Cytrynbaum Donna M. McDonald-McGinn Ann Swillen Anne S. Bassett Sandra Meier |
| author_sort | Holly Carbyn |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (22q11DS) is the most common microdeletion syndrome. It exhibits broad phenotypic variability, often including conditions like autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability. Caregivers of children with 22q11DS are known to be at increased risk of poor mental health and less social support, which might affect their children’s health. The current study examined the relationship between parental mental health, perceived social support, and child mental health (internalizing/externalizing symptoms) in children with 22q11DS. Method Ninety caregivers of children with 22q11DS completed an online survey measuring parental depressive symptoms, perceived social support, and child mental health problems (internalizing and externalizing symptoms). Structural equation models were run to examine the postulated relationships between variables. Results The caregiver’s depressive symptoms were associated with higher internalizing and externalizing symptoms in their children with 22q11DS (mean age 11.8, SD 7.6 years). Caregivers experiencing symptoms of depression were less likely to report strong social support, and lower perceived social support was associated with greater child internalizing and externalizing symptoms. The relationship between caregiver’s depressive symptoms and internalizing symptoms in their children was mediated by perceived social support, but no such mediating effects were observed for externalizing symptoms. Conclusions These findings provide valuable insights into the mental health burdens facing families living with 22q11DS. Interventions focusing on 22q11DS should integrate techniques to foster social and other supports to improve the mental health of caregivers and children. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b5f76c631d33403c83aab3541af5b0fd |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1750-1172 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases |
| spelling | doaj-art-b5f76c631d33403c83aab3541af5b0fd2025-08-24T11:50:07ZengBMCOrphanet Journal of Rare Diseases1750-11722025-08-0120111010.1186/s13023-025-03955-2Evaluating the relationship between caregiver depression, social support, and children’s internalizing and externalizing symptoms in families affected by 22q11.2 deletion syndromeHolly Carbyn0Abiaz Hossain1Raquel L. Dias2Lisa D. Palmer3Sophie Ayoub4Patricia Lingley-Pottie5Patrick J. McGrath6Andrea L. Rideout7Andrea Shugar8Cheryl Cytrynbaum9Donna M. McDonald-McGinn10Ann Swillen11Anne S. Bassett12Sandra Meier13Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie UniversityDepartment of Psychiatry, Dalhousie UniversityDepartment of Psychiatry, Dalhousie UniversityThe Dalgish Family 22Q Clinic, Department of Psychiatry and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, and Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health NetworkInstitute for Biomedical Ethics, University of BaselDepartment of Psychiatry, Dalhousie UniversityDepartment of Psychiatry, Dalhousie UniversityIWK Health Centre Department of Psychiatry and Specific Care ClinicsDivision of Clinical & Metabolic Genetics and the Department of Genetic Counselling, The Hospital for Sick ChildrenDivision of Clinical & Metabolic Genetics and the Department of Genetic Counselling, The Hospital for Sick ChildrenDivision of Human Genetics, 22Q and You Center, Clinical Genetics Center, and Section of Genetic Counselling, Children’s Hospital of PhiladelphiaCenter for Human Genetics, UZ LeuvenThe Dalgish Family 22Q Clinic, Department of Psychiatry and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, and Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health NetworkDepartment of Psychiatry, Dalhousie UniversityAbstract Background 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (22q11DS) is the most common microdeletion syndrome. It exhibits broad phenotypic variability, often including conditions like autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability. Caregivers of children with 22q11DS are known to be at increased risk of poor mental health and less social support, which might affect their children’s health. The current study examined the relationship between parental mental health, perceived social support, and child mental health (internalizing/externalizing symptoms) in children with 22q11DS. Method Ninety caregivers of children with 22q11DS completed an online survey measuring parental depressive symptoms, perceived social support, and child mental health problems (internalizing and externalizing symptoms). Structural equation models were run to examine the postulated relationships between variables. Results The caregiver’s depressive symptoms were associated with higher internalizing and externalizing symptoms in their children with 22q11DS (mean age 11.8, SD 7.6 years). Caregivers experiencing symptoms of depression were less likely to report strong social support, and lower perceived social support was associated with greater child internalizing and externalizing symptoms. The relationship between caregiver’s depressive symptoms and internalizing symptoms in their children was mediated by perceived social support, but no such mediating effects were observed for externalizing symptoms. Conclusions These findings provide valuable insights into the mental health burdens facing families living with 22q11DS. Interventions focusing on 22q11DS should integrate techniques to foster social and other supports to improve the mental health of caregivers and children.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13023-025-03955-222q11.2 deletion syndromeMental healthDepressionSocial supportMediation |
| spellingShingle | Holly Carbyn Abiaz Hossain Raquel L. Dias Lisa D. Palmer Sophie Ayoub Patricia Lingley-Pottie Patrick J. McGrath Andrea L. Rideout Andrea Shugar Cheryl Cytrynbaum Donna M. McDonald-McGinn Ann Swillen Anne S. Bassett Sandra Meier Evaluating the relationship between caregiver depression, social support, and children’s internalizing and externalizing symptoms in families affected by 22q11.2 deletion syndrome Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases 22q11.2 deletion syndrome Mental health Depression Social support Mediation |
| title | Evaluating the relationship between caregiver depression, social support, and children’s internalizing and externalizing symptoms in families affected by 22q11.2 deletion syndrome |
| title_full | Evaluating the relationship between caregiver depression, social support, and children’s internalizing and externalizing symptoms in families affected by 22q11.2 deletion syndrome |
| title_fullStr | Evaluating the relationship between caregiver depression, social support, and children’s internalizing and externalizing symptoms in families affected by 22q11.2 deletion syndrome |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluating the relationship between caregiver depression, social support, and children’s internalizing and externalizing symptoms in families affected by 22q11.2 deletion syndrome |
| title_short | Evaluating the relationship between caregiver depression, social support, and children’s internalizing and externalizing symptoms in families affected by 22q11.2 deletion syndrome |
| title_sort | evaluating the relationship between caregiver depression social support and children s internalizing and externalizing symptoms in families affected by 22q11 2 deletion syndrome |
| topic | 22q11.2 deletion syndrome Mental health Depression Social support Mediation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13023-025-03955-2 |
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