The main aim of this study is to provide insight into genetic risk factors influencing the stability of and change in symptoms of psychopathology across childhood and adolescence. This will include the identification of a) symptom clusters and trajectories of change in these clusters over time, and b) genetic risk factors associated with these clusters and trajectories.

The primary discovery sample for these aims will be the Young Netherlands Twin Register. For both the psychometric and genetic results, it is proposed to use the ALSPAC cohort as a replication sample, focusing on DAWBA data at ages 7, 10, 13 and 15 years.

This proposal shares some overlap with ongoing projects, but is distinct due to the focus on symptom clusters rather than diagnostic categories. It is proposed that the project would be complementary to these ongoing projects.

Data will be analyse by factor analysis on separate questionnaire items, followed by a latent class analysis on factor scores. Previous studies have suggested seven syndromes identified on the basis of symptom clusters: anxious depression, withdrawn behaviour, somatic complaints, attention problems, aggressive behaviour, rule-breaking behaviour, and thought problems / intrusive thoughts