Psychiatry Investig.  2014 Jul;11(3):228-231.

A Pilot Study: Association between Minor Physical Anomalies in Childhood and Future Mental Problems

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan.
  • 2Institutes of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
  • 3Department of Mathematics, Tamkang University, Taipei, Taiwan.
  • 4Department of Psychiatry, Beitou Branch, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
  • 5Department of Psychiatry, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. rf.tzang@msa.hinet.net
  • 6Department of Health Care Management, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan.

Abstract


OBJECTIVE
This study aims to investigate association between early recognizable minor physical abnormality (MPA) during childhood is associated with mental health problems in young adults.
METHODS
In 1984, 169 preschool children in central Taiwan underwent a detailed physical examination for subtle abnormalities (MPA). Fourteen years later, the Brief Symptom Rating Scale (BSRS) and Chinese Health Questionnaire (CHQ) were used to measure specific psychiatric symptoms.
RESULTS
There is an association between MPA during childhood and adult characterized with interpersonal sensitivity, anxiety, depression and paranoid mental health symptoms.
CONCLUSION
The signs of childhood MPA can be easily identified and should be regarded as risk factors when predicting mental disorder. Mental health professionals should consider MPAs as important signs for possible development of emotional problems.

Keyword

Minor physical anomalies; Psychiatric symptom

MeSH Terms

Adult
Anxiety
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Child, Preschool
Depression
Humans
Mental Disorders
Mental Health
Physical Examination
Pilot Projects*
Surveys and Questionnaires
Risk Factors
Taiwan
Young Adult
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