Is there an association between full IQ score and mental health problems in young adults? A study with a convenience sample
Abstract Background Intelligence is the aggregate or global capacity of the individual to act purposefully, to think rationally and to deal effectively with the environment. Previous studies have shown that individuals with intellectual disability, IQ < 70, have increased risk of being diagnosed...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2020-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-020-0372-2 |
| _version_ | 1818642962690605056 |
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| author | Linde Melby Marit S. Indredavik Gro Løhaugen Ann Mari Brubakk Jon Skranes Torstein Vik |
| author_facet | Linde Melby Marit S. Indredavik Gro Løhaugen Ann Mari Brubakk Jon Skranes Torstein Vik |
| author_sort | Linde Melby |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Intelligence is the aggregate or global capacity of the individual to act purposefully, to think rationally and to deal effectively with the environment. Previous studies have shown that individuals with intellectual disability, IQ < 70, have increased risk of being diagnosed with one or more mental disorders. We wanted to investigate if this also applies to individuals with IQ between 70 and 85. Methods In this study, data was abstracted from a longitudinal follow-up study of individuals with low birth weight and a control group. In the present study, mental health of participants with borderline IQ, defined as a full IQ score 70–84, were compared with mental health of a reference group with full IQ scores ≥85. Mental health at age 19 was assessed using the Schedule for Affective Disorder and Schizophrenia for School-age Children Present and Lifetime (K-SADS P/L) whereby scores meeting the diagnostic criteria for a mental disorder were defined as having mental health problems. In addition the participants completed the ADHD-rating scale and the Autism Spectrum Quotient form (AQ). Logistic regression analyses were used to calculate odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for high scores on the K-SADS. Results Thirty participants with borderline IQ and 146 controls were included. Sixteen (53%) of the participants with borderline IQ met the diagnostic criteria on the K-SADS for any diagnosis compared with 18 (12%) in the reference group (OR: 6.2; CI: 2.6–14.9). In particular the participants with borderline IQ had excess risk of ADHD and anxiety. These associations were slightly attenuated when adjusted for birth weight and parents’ socioeconomic status. Conclusions 53% of the participants with borderline IQ had increased risk for a research assessed psychiatric diagnosis compared to about one in ten in the reference group. The group with borderline IQ also had higher total scores and higher scores on some sub-scores included in the Autism Spectrum Quotient form. Our results points towards an increased vulnerability for mental illness in individuals with borderline low IQ. Trial registration The main study is recorded by the Regional Committee for Health Research Ethics in Mid-Norway (as project number 4.2005.2605). |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-16T23:51:24Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6d5526e020064f1e800b00b14ab21039 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2050-7283 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-16T23:51:24Z |
| publishDate | 2020-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-6d5526e020064f1e800b00b14ab210392022-12-21T22:11:19ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832020-01-01811910.1186/s40359-020-0372-2Is there an association between full IQ score and mental health problems in young adults? A study with a convenience sampleLinde Melby0Marit S. Indredavik1Gro Løhaugen2Ann Mari Brubakk3Jon Skranes4Torstein Vik5Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, NTNUDepartment of Pediatrics, Sørlandet Hospital ArendalPediatrics, Department of Clinical and Molecular medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, NTNUDepartment of Pediatrics, Sørlandet Hospital ArendalPediatrics, Department of Clinical and Molecular medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, NTNUAbstract Background Intelligence is the aggregate or global capacity of the individual to act purposefully, to think rationally and to deal effectively with the environment. Previous studies have shown that individuals with intellectual disability, IQ < 70, have increased risk of being diagnosed with one or more mental disorders. We wanted to investigate if this also applies to individuals with IQ between 70 and 85. Methods In this study, data was abstracted from a longitudinal follow-up study of individuals with low birth weight and a control group. In the present study, mental health of participants with borderline IQ, defined as a full IQ score 70–84, were compared with mental health of a reference group with full IQ scores ≥85. Mental health at age 19 was assessed using the Schedule for Affective Disorder and Schizophrenia for School-age Children Present and Lifetime (K-SADS P/L) whereby scores meeting the diagnostic criteria for a mental disorder were defined as having mental health problems. In addition the participants completed the ADHD-rating scale and the Autism Spectrum Quotient form (AQ). Logistic regression analyses were used to calculate odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for high scores on the K-SADS. Results Thirty participants with borderline IQ and 146 controls were included. Sixteen (53%) of the participants with borderline IQ met the diagnostic criteria on the K-SADS for any diagnosis compared with 18 (12%) in the reference group (OR: 6.2; CI: 2.6–14.9). In particular the participants with borderline IQ had excess risk of ADHD and anxiety. These associations were slightly attenuated when adjusted for birth weight and parents’ socioeconomic status. Conclusions 53% of the participants with borderline IQ had increased risk for a research assessed psychiatric diagnosis compared to about one in ten in the reference group. The group with borderline IQ also had higher total scores and higher scores on some sub-scores included in the Autism Spectrum Quotient form. Our results points towards an increased vulnerability for mental illness in individuals with borderline low IQ. Trial registration The main study is recorded by the Regional Committee for Health Research Ethics in Mid-Norway (as project number 4.2005.2605).https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-020-0372-2Intelligence quotientBorderline intellectual functioningMental healthADHD |
| spellingShingle | Linde Melby Marit S. Indredavik Gro Løhaugen Ann Mari Brubakk Jon Skranes Torstein Vik Is there an association between full IQ score and mental health problems in young adults? A study with a convenience sample BMC Psychology Intelligence quotient Borderline intellectual functioning Mental health ADHD |
| title | Is there an association between full IQ score and mental health problems in young adults? A study with a convenience sample |
| title_full | Is there an association between full IQ score and mental health problems in young adults? A study with a convenience sample |
| title_fullStr | Is there an association between full IQ score and mental health problems in young adults? A study with a convenience sample |
| title_full_unstemmed | Is there an association between full IQ score and mental health problems in young adults? A study with a convenience sample |
| title_short | Is there an association between full IQ score and mental health problems in young adults? A study with a convenience sample |
| title_sort | is there an association between full iq score and mental health problems in young adults a study with a convenience sample |
| topic | Intelligence quotient Borderline intellectual functioning Mental health ADHD |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-020-0372-2 |
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