The association between behavioural and emotional problems and age in adults with Down syndrome without dementia: Examining a wide spectrum of behavioural and emotional problems.
Behavior and mood stay flat with age in Down syndrome adults who do not have dementia.
01Research in Context
What this study did
The team asked a simple question: do behavior and mood problems grow as adults with Down syndrome get older?
They tracked 53 adults who did not have dementia. Each person completed the same behavior checklist.
Age was the only variable they tested against scores for things like irritability, anxiety, and repetitive actions.
What they found
Nothing moved. Older adults scored the same as younger adults on every problem area.
The study found no sign that behavior or emotional trouble increases with age in Down syndrome without dementia.
How this fits with other research
Rojahn et al. (1994) saw more psychological problems in elderly adults with Down syndrome, but their group included people with dementia. Once dementia is ruled out, the age link disappears.
Bauman et al. (1996) and Yuwiler et al. (1992) already showed tiny or no cognitive decline in Down syndrome adults under 65. Smith et al. (2014) now extends that stability to behavior and mood.
Together the papers say: expect stable cognition and behavior in Down syndrome adults until dementia enters the picture.
Why it matters
If you see new behavior or mood swings in an adult with Down syndrome, do not blame age. Screen for medical issues, life changes, or early dementia instead. Use the same behavior plans you would for a younger client. Save referral energy for signs like restlessness, incontinence, or lost communication that Rojahn et al. (1994) and Prasher et al. (1995) link to dementia.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
The literature on the association between behavioural and emotional problems and ageing in adults with Down syndrome (DS) without dementia is limited and has generally not reported on a wide range of behavioural and emotional problems. This research aimed to extend the field by examining the associations between age and a wide spectrum of behavioural and emotional problems in adults with DS without dementia. A preliminary analysis of the association between potential covariates and behavioural and emotional problems was also undertaken. Parents and caregivers completed a questionnaire on behavioural and emotional problems for 53 adults with DS aged between 16 and 56 years. Twenty-eight adults with DS and their caregivers were part of a longitudinal sample, which provided two time points of data approximately four years apart. Additionally, 25 participants with DS and their caregivers were from a cross sectional sample, which provided one time point of data. Random effects regression analyses were used to examine the patterns in item scores for behavioural and emotional problems associated with age. No significant associations between age and the range or severity of any behavioural and emotional items were found. This suggested a more positive pattern for ageing adults with DS than has been previously described. Given that behavioural and emotional problems were not associated with age, investigation into other factors that may be associated with the behavioural and emotional difficulties for adults with DS is discussed.
Research in developmental disabilities, 2014 · doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2014.04.010