Why tantrums could be a health risk warning for children

GLASGOW, Scotland— Children who experience emotional outbursts and difficulty controlling their behavior at age seven are at greater risk of suffering from anxiety and depression in adolescence, according to a study released yesterday by the University of Edinburgh and published in the Journal of Affective Disorders.

The research analyzed data from the British Millennium Cohort Study , which follows the lives of some 19,000 young people born between 2000 and 2002.

Researchers evaluated questionnaires and interviews with parents and teachers about the children's emotional problems at ages 11, 14, and 17, and applied statistical techniques to compare the adolescent mental health of individuals with different levels of emotional regulation at age seven , taking into account their previous mental health and behavior.

The findings showed that the tendency to experience difficulties with emotional regulation — such as mood swings, frequent overexcitement, or intense frustration at age seven —was significantly associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression in adolescence.

The link between early emotional distress and later psychological problems persisted through age 17 , even after accounting for factors such as prior disorders , suggesting a sustained effect of intense emotions in the early years, the researchers said.

The work, funded by the Medical Research Foundation, highlights the importance of early intervention.

“Our findings suggest that early problems with emotional regulation are a precursor to mental health challenges in adolescence,” lead researcher Dr. Aja Murray explained in the statement.

“This research brings us closer to moving from treatment to prevention, through early, targeted interventions that have the power to change the course of many lives,” added Angela Hind, executive director of the Medical Research Foundation.