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Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Abstract

Individuals with fragile X syndrome (FXS) often exhibit increased internalizing problem behaviors that substantially impact functioning. Research suggests that maternal depressive symptoms can increase the development of internalizing problem behaviors in their children. The present study examined whether (1) maternal depressive symptoms related to the degree of internalizing behaviors exhibited in their sons with FXS, and (2) age as an influencing factor for the development of internalizing behaviors. Child internalizing behaviors were measured in 49 male children with FXS (range 1.08-5.75 yrs). Maternal depressive symptoms were measured in each of their mothers with the FMR1 premutation (range 20.55-40.74 yrs). Increased maternal depressive symptoms did not relate to increased internalizing behavior problems in their sons with FXS. Age was not a factor, and when separated by older and younger ages, the results were not significant. These findings are important for children with FXS due to the fact that maternal depressive symptoms did not impact the development of internalizing problem behaviors as seen in typically developing children.

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