Authors:
Ida C. T. Gjøde | University of Copenhagen, Denmark | Denmark
Thomas M. Laursen | Center for Registerforskning - CIRRAU - Centre for Integrated Register-based Research
Anne Dorothee Müller | University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Prof. Dr. Carsten Hjorthøj | Copenhagen Research Centre On Mental Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Prof. Dr. Merete Nordentoft | Copenhagen Research Centre On Mental Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Prof. Dr. Anne Thorup | University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Aims: We aimed to investigate whether children of parents with diagnosed personality disorders have increased risks of mental disorders in childhood and adolescence compared to children in the general population. Further, we investigated if emotional unstable personality disorder and dissocial personality disorder are associated with increased risks of mental disorders in offspring compared to other types of parental personality disorders. Methods: Data from Danish health registers were linked and produced a nationwide cohort. Offspring born from January 1, 1995, were included in the study, and followed until either 18th birthday, diagnosis set, emigration, death, or until December 31, 2016. Exposures: Parental personality disorders according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), 8th, and 10th edition. Main outcomes: Full spectrum mental disorders in offspring (age 0-17) according to the ICD, 10th edition. Results: 1,406,965 children were followed. The absolute risk of any mental disorder diagnosed in children before age 18 exposed to one or two parents with personality disorders were 34.06 % (95% CI: 33.02 - 35.10, P < .001), approximately twice the estimate in the general population: 15.160 % (95% CI: 15.07 – 15.26, P < .001). Children of parents with either emotional unstable personality disorder or dissocial personality disorder did not have a significantly higher incidence of metal disorders compared to children of parents with other types of personality disorders. Conclusions: Children of parents with personality disorders are a group of children with high risk of mental disorders throughout childhood and adolescence. Early intervention for this population is needed.