Alison Pike | University of Sussex (original) (raw)

Papers by Alison Pike

Research paper thumbnail of Mealtime dynamics in child feeding disorder: the role of child temperament, parental sense of competence, and paternal involvement

Journal of pediatric psychology

We examined how child temperament, parental sense of competence, and paternal involvement predict... more We examined how child temperament, parental sense of competence, and paternal involvement predicted observed mealtime dynamics. 97 families of children with feeding disorder (FD), sleep problems (SP), and typically developing (TD) children participated in the study. Data were collected during home visits, where mother-child and father-child mealtime dynamics were videotaped and parents completed questionnaires. More mother-child and father-child conflict and control was observed during mealtimes in the FD than SP and TD groups. Among the FD group, maternal sense of competence was negatively correlated with mother-child conflict and control, and child temperament was linked to father-child conflict and control, but only for families in which fathers were highly involved. These correlations were not significant among the SP and TD groups. Different patterns of results were seen for mothers and fathers and among the FD and control groups. Clinical implications for the treatment of FD a...

Research paper thumbnail of Editorial

Research paper thumbnail of ‘Weight of Evidence’ analysis of neonatal sensory evoked potentials

Research paper thumbnail of Parental Division of Household Labour and Sibling Relationship Quality: Family Relationship Mediators

Research paper thumbnail of MEDIATION OF ADOLESCENTS PERCEPTIONS ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARENTING AND ADOLESCENT ADJUSTMENT-GENETIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL-INFLUENCES

Research paper thumbnail of Women's views of ultrasonography

Social Science & Medicine, 1993

Research paper thumbnail of A Genetic Analysis of Differential Experiences of Adolescent Siblings Across Three Years

Research paper thumbnail of Theory of Mind, Self-worth and the Mother?Child Relationship

Research paper thumbnail of Correlates of Parenting for Mothers and Fathers From English and Indian Backgrounds

Parenting, 2008

ABSTRACT Objective. Guided by Bronfenbrenner's ecological model, we examined relations be... more ABSTRACT Objective. Guided by Bronfenbrenner's ecological model, we examined relations between child characteristics and contextual factors and mothering and fathering in ethnic minority and majority samples within Great Britain. Design. 125 families (59 English and 66 of Indian origin) with 8½-year-old children participated. Parental warmth and use of harsh discipline were rated from home observations and semi-structured interviews. Mothers and fathers completed questionnaires regarding children's negative emotionality as well as reports of their marital satisfaction, job spillover, and a demographic questionnaire for the assessment of socioeconomic status (SES). Results. Children's negative emotionality was negatively linked to parental warmth and positively linked to parental use of harsh discipline. Mothers tend to be warmer to girls than to boys. At the contextual level, marital relationship quality is negatively associated with maternal and paternal use of discipline, and SES is positively linked to parental warmth. SES provides unique prediction of paternal warmth. Elevated levels of negative job spillover and lower levels of SES are linked to increased use of harsh discipline only for the English fathers, whereas paternal marital satisfaction is negatively related to paternal use of discipline only for the Indian fathers. Conclusion. Some correlates are similar, but parenting in middle childhood also varies for mothers and fathers as well as for parents from different cultural groups.

Research paper thumbnail of Importance of Nonshared Environmental Factors for Childhood and Adolescent Psychopathology

Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 1996

To briefly summarize behavioral genetic findings in relation to child and adolescent psychopathol... more To briefly summarize behavioral genetic findings in relation to child and adolescent psychopathology, paying special attention to the environmental rather than genetic components of variation, and to describe recent research exploring specific nonshared environmental processes in the development of adolescent depression. Behavioral genetic studies of child and adolescent psychopathology were outlined, with special attention given to findings from the Nonshared Environment and Adolescent Development Project. This project was also used to explore maternal negativity as a "candidate" nonshared environmental influence for adolescent depression. These studies indicate that the environmental factors influencing developmental psychopathology are primarily of the nonshared variety (with the notable exception of juvenile delinquency). In addition, consistent results have not yet emerged from assessments of adolescent depression. Finally, maternal negativity was identified as a specific nonshared environmental factor related to adolescent depression. The environment as well as genetics is important to understanding childhood psychiatric disorders, and behavioral genetic designs provide the best evidence for this. Specifically, environments not shared by siblings are particularly salient. From a clinical standpoint, these considerations point to the importance of assessing the entire family rather than only the family member with the "problem."

Research paper thumbnail of Preclinical and clinical pharmacology of TPA023B, a GABAA receptor  2/ 3 subtype-selective partial agonist

Journal of Psychopharmacology, 2011

In the accompanying paper we describe how MRK-409 unexpectedly produced sedation in man at relati... more In the accompanying paper we describe how MRK-409 unexpectedly produced sedation in man at relatively low levels of GABA(A) receptor occupancy (∼10%). Since it was not clear whether this sedation was mediated via the α2/α3 or α1 GABA(A) subtype(s), we characterized the properties of TPA023B, a high-affinity imidazotriazine which, like MRK-409, has partial agonist efficacy at the α2 and α3 subtype but is an antagonist at the α1 subtype, at which MRK-409 has weak partial agonism. TPA023B gave dose- and time-dependent occupancy of rat brain GABA(A) receptors as measured using an in vivo [(3)H]flumazenil binding assay, with 50% occupancy corresponding to a respective dose and plasma drug concentration of 0.09 mg/kg and 19 ng/mL, the latter of which was similar to that observed in mice (25 ng/mL) and comparable to values obtained in baboon and man using [(11)C]flumazenil PET (10 and 5.8 ng/mL, respectively). TPA023B was anxiolytic in rodent and primate (squirrel monkey) models of anxiety (elevated plus maze, fear-potentiated startle, conditioned suppression of drinking, conditioned emotional response) yet had no significant effects in rodent or primate assays of ataxia and/or myorelaxation (rotarod, chain-pulling, lever pressing), up to doses (10 mg/kg) corresponding to occupancy of greater than 99%. In man, TPA023B was well tolerated at a dose (1.5 mg) that produced occupancy of >50%, suggesting that the sedation previously seen with MRK-409 is due to the partial agonist efficacy of that compound at the α1 subtype, and highlighting the importance of antagonist efficacy at this particular GABA(A) receptor population for avoiding sedation in man.

Research paper thumbnail of Associations between adolescent siblings' relationship quality and similarity and differences in values

Journal of Family Psychology, 2010

Research paper thumbnail of Nonshared environmental influences on teacher-reported behaviour problems: monozygotic twin differences in perceptions of the classroom

Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 2008

The identification of specific nonshared environments responsible for the variance in behaviour p... more The identification of specific nonshared environments responsible for the variance in behaviour problems is a key challenge. Nonshared environmental influences on teacher-reported behaviour problems were explored independently of genetics using the monozygotic (MZ) twin differences design. Six aspects of classroom environment were rated by a representative sample of 570 nine-year-old MZ twins in the UK in different classrooms and were related to their different teachers' reports of prosocial behaviour, hyperactivity, conduct problems, peer problems and emotional symptoms. Within-pair differences in perceptions of the classroom were significantly correlated with teacher-reported behaviour problems, indicating that children with less favourable perceptions of their classroom environment were reported by their teachers as less prosocial, more hyperactive, and to have more conduct and peer problems. Socioeconomic status did not significantly moderate any of these relationships. However, parent-reported household chaos was a significant moderator. The classroom environment is related to behaviour problems even when genetic factors are held constant. Classroom environment is more strongly associated with behaviour problems when the home environment is more chaotic.

Research paper thumbnail of Using MZ Differences in the Search for Nonshared Environmental Effects

Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 1996

Research paper thumbnail of Young children’s sibling relationship quality: distal and proximal correlates

Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 2009

Research paper thumbnail of Do sibling and friend relationships share the same temperamental origins? A twin study

Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 2003

Friendship and sibling relationships differ in that there is an element of choice in friendships,... more Friendship and sibling relationships differ in that there is an element of choice in friendships, whilst the latter represent a fixed and given relationship. The present study set out to investigate the temperamental correlates of friendships and sibling relationships, as well as to examine their genetic and environmental components. Two hundred and twelve same-sex twin-pairs (102 MZ and 110 DZ; 104 male pairs and 108 female pairs) aged between 12 and 15, together with their parents, comprised the sample. The twins themselves reported on both negative and positive aspects of the two relationships, and all family members provided reports of the twins' temperament (mothers, fathers, and adolescent self-reports). Analyses revealed that negative aspects of both the sibling relationship and friendship were related to emotionality, while the positive aspects of these relationships were associated with sociability and activity. Genetic influences and the shared environment accounted for variance seen in the sibling relationship. In addition, nonshared environment accounted for a moderate amount of the sibling relationship variability and explained most of the variance for the friendship components. Finally, bivariate analyses of the covariance between temperament and close relationships highlighted the importance of nonshared environmental influences during adolescence. Three themes emerged. First, congruent temperamental expressions were seen across these two relationships' contexts. Second, friendship and the sibling relationship have distinct etiological profiles, indicating the child-specific character of adolescent friendships versus the reciprocal nature of the sibling relationship. Finally, the common influences to temperament and relationship quality provided evidence for the validity of adolescents' unique, nonshared experiences.

Research paper thumbnail of Do risk factors for problem behaviour act in a cumulative manner? An examination of ethnic minority and majority children through an ecological perspective

Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 2004

Extensive research has identified risk factors for problem behaviour in childhood. However, most ... more Extensive research has identified risk factors for problem behaviour in childhood. However, most of this research has focused on isolated variables, ignoring possible additive influences. The purpose of this study was to examine whether risk factors for problem behaviour act in a cumulative manner, and to investigate whether cumulative risk stemming from distinct ecological levels (Bronfenbrenner, 1979) differentially influences the manifestation of problem behaviours in middle childhood. In addition, ethnic differences between minority (i.e., Indian) and majority (i.e., English) families were examined. The sample consisted of 125 children (59 English and 66 of Indian origin) between the ages of 7 and 9.6 (M = 8.51, SD = 0.62) and their parents. Both mothers and fathers completed questionnaires regarding the children's problem behaviour and provided reports of the children's characteristics and environment. Children were also assessed and provided reports about themselves and their relationships. Finally, parent-child mutuality and parenting behaviour were coded from a videotaped parent-child interaction task. Risk factors acted in a cumulative manner - the more risk children experienced, the more problem behaviour they exhibited. Total problem behaviour was predicted by all three levels: individual, microsystem and exosystem. However, externalising problems were mainly predicted by microsystem-level cumulative risk, whereas internalising problems were predicted by both individual-level cumulative risk and exosystem-level cumulative risk. These results were similar for both ethnic groups. The support for the cumulative hypothesis highlights the importance of having a broad picture of children's characteristics and environmental components when analysing children's adjustment. The distinct influence of risk stemming from the different ecological levels suggests that the trajectories of internalising, externalising and total problem behaviour may be different.

Research paper thumbnail of Links between nonshared friendship experiences and adolescent siblings' differences in aspirations

Journal of Adolescence, 2010

Using a sibling design, this study examined the association between adolescents&a... more Using a sibling design, this study examined the association between adolescents' friendship experiences and their aspirations for self-acceptance, affiliation, and financial success. We hypothesized that adolescent siblings would differ in their aspirations and that unique experiences in friendships would be associated with these differences. Within our sample of 102 same-sex sibling pairs (mean age older sibling 16 years, younger sibling 14 years), only a small degree of sibling similarity was found for aspirations as well as friendship experiences. Self-acceptance and affiliation were positively linked to general friendship positivity as well as to positive features of the adolescents' closest friend. Bivariate model-fitting techniques revealed that nonshared processes (i.e., unique to each child in the family) explained these links between friendship experiences and aspirations. The results indicate that growing up in one home and being socialized by the same parents does not make adolescent siblings similar in their aspirations but rather that nonshared experiences like those with close friends are related to aspiration dissimilarity of siblings.

Research paper thumbnail of Links between parenting and extra-familial relationships: Nature or nurture?

Journal of Adolescence, 2009

Research paper thumbnail of Mother– and Father–Child Mutuality in Anglo and Indian British Families: A Link with Lower Externalizing Problems

Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 2000

Research paper thumbnail of Mealtime dynamics in child feeding disorder: the role of child temperament, parental sense of competence, and paternal involvement

Journal of pediatric psychology

We examined how child temperament, parental sense of competence, and paternal involvement predict... more We examined how child temperament, parental sense of competence, and paternal involvement predicted observed mealtime dynamics. 97 families of children with feeding disorder (FD), sleep problems (SP), and typically developing (TD) children participated in the study. Data were collected during home visits, where mother-child and father-child mealtime dynamics were videotaped and parents completed questionnaires. More mother-child and father-child conflict and control was observed during mealtimes in the FD than SP and TD groups. Among the FD group, maternal sense of competence was negatively correlated with mother-child conflict and control, and child temperament was linked to father-child conflict and control, but only for families in which fathers were highly involved. These correlations were not significant among the SP and TD groups. Different patterns of results were seen for mothers and fathers and among the FD and control groups. Clinical implications for the treatment of FD a...

Research paper thumbnail of Editorial

Research paper thumbnail of ‘Weight of Evidence’ analysis of neonatal sensory evoked potentials

Research paper thumbnail of Parental Division of Household Labour and Sibling Relationship Quality: Family Relationship Mediators

Research paper thumbnail of MEDIATION OF ADOLESCENTS PERCEPTIONS ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARENTING AND ADOLESCENT ADJUSTMENT-GENETIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL-INFLUENCES

Research paper thumbnail of Women's views of ultrasonography

Social Science & Medicine, 1993

Research paper thumbnail of A Genetic Analysis of Differential Experiences of Adolescent Siblings Across Three Years

Research paper thumbnail of Theory of Mind, Self-worth and the Mother?Child Relationship

Research paper thumbnail of Correlates of Parenting for Mothers and Fathers From English and Indian Backgrounds

Parenting, 2008

ABSTRACT Objective. Guided by Bronfenbrenner's ecological model, we examined relations be... more ABSTRACT Objective. Guided by Bronfenbrenner's ecological model, we examined relations between child characteristics and contextual factors and mothering and fathering in ethnic minority and majority samples within Great Britain. Design. 125 families (59 English and 66 of Indian origin) with 8½-year-old children participated. Parental warmth and use of harsh discipline were rated from home observations and semi-structured interviews. Mothers and fathers completed questionnaires regarding children's negative emotionality as well as reports of their marital satisfaction, job spillover, and a demographic questionnaire for the assessment of socioeconomic status (SES). Results. Children's negative emotionality was negatively linked to parental warmth and positively linked to parental use of harsh discipline. Mothers tend to be warmer to girls than to boys. At the contextual level, marital relationship quality is negatively associated with maternal and paternal use of discipline, and SES is positively linked to parental warmth. SES provides unique prediction of paternal warmth. Elevated levels of negative job spillover and lower levels of SES are linked to increased use of harsh discipline only for the English fathers, whereas paternal marital satisfaction is negatively related to paternal use of discipline only for the Indian fathers. Conclusion. Some correlates are similar, but parenting in middle childhood also varies for mothers and fathers as well as for parents from different cultural groups.

Research paper thumbnail of Importance of Nonshared Environmental Factors for Childhood and Adolescent Psychopathology

Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 1996

To briefly summarize behavioral genetic findings in relation to child and adolescent psychopathol... more To briefly summarize behavioral genetic findings in relation to child and adolescent psychopathology, paying special attention to the environmental rather than genetic components of variation, and to describe recent research exploring specific nonshared environmental processes in the development of adolescent depression. Behavioral genetic studies of child and adolescent psychopathology were outlined, with special attention given to findings from the Nonshared Environment and Adolescent Development Project. This project was also used to explore maternal negativity as a "candidate" nonshared environmental influence for adolescent depression. These studies indicate that the environmental factors influencing developmental psychopathology are primarily of the nonshared variety (with the notable exception of juvenile delinquency). In addition, consistent results have not yet emerged from assessments of adolescent depression. Finally, maternal negativity was identified as a specific nonshared environmental factor related to adolescent depression. The environment as well as genetics is important to understanding childhood psychiatric disorders, and behavioral genetic designs provide the best evidence for this. Specifically, environments not shared by siblings are particularly salient. From a clinical standpoint, these considerations point to the importance of assessing the entire family rather than only the family member with the "problem."

Research paper thumbnail of Preclinical and clinical pharmacology of TPA023B, a GABAA receptor  2/ 3 subtype-selective partial agonist

Journal of Psychopharmacology, 2011

In the accompanying paper we describe how MRK-409 unexpectedly produced sedation in man at relati... more In the accompanying paper we describe how MRK-409 unexpectedly produced sedation in man at relatively low levels of GABA(A) receptor occupancy (∼10%). Since it was not clear whether this sedation was mediated via the α2/α3 or α1 GABA(A) subtype(s), we characterized the properties of TPA023B, a high-affinity imidazotriazine which, like MRK-409, has partial agonist efficacy at the α2 and α3 subtype but is an antagonist at the α1 subtype, at which MRK-409 has weak partial agonism. TPA023B gave dose- and time-dependent occupancy of rat brain GABA(A) receptors as measured using an in vivo [(3)H]flumazenil binding assay, with 50% occupancy corresponding to a respective dose and plasma drug concentration of 0.09 mg/kg and 19 ng/mL, the latter of which was similar to that observed in mice (25 ng/mL) and comparable to values obtained in baboon and man using [(11)C]flumazenil PET (10 and 5.8 ng/mL, respectively). TPA023B was anxiolytic in rodent and primate (squirrel monkey) models of anxiety (elevated plus maze, fear-potentiated startle, conditioned suppression of drinking, conditioned emotional response) yet had no significant effects in rodent or primate assays of ataxia and/or myorelaxation (rotarod, chain-pulling, lever pressing), up to doses (10 mg/kg) corresponding to occupancy of greater than 99%. In man, TPA023B was well tolerated at a dose (1.5 mg) that produced occupancy of >50%, suggesting that the sedation previously seen with MRK-409 is due to the partial agonist efficacy of that compound at the α1 subtype, and highlighting the importance of antagonist efficacy at this particular GABA(A) receptor population for avoiding sedation in man.

Research paper thumbnail of Associations between adolescent siblings' relationship quality and similarity and differences in values

Journal of Family Psychology, 2010

Research paper thumbnail of Nonshared environmental influences on teacher-reported behaviour problems: monozygotic twin differences in perceptions of the classroom

Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 2008

The identification of specific nonshared environments responsible for the variance in behaviour p... more The identification of specific nonshared environments responsible for the variance in behaviour problems is a key challenge. Nonshared environmental influences on teacher-reported behaviour problems were explored independently of genetics using the monozygotic (MZ) twin differences design. Six aspects of classroom environment were rated by a representative sample of 570 nine-year-old MZ twins in the UK in different classrooms and were related to their different teachers' reports of prosocial behaviour, hyperactivity, conduct problems, peer problems and emotional symptoms. Within-pair differences in perceptions of the classroom were significantly correlated with teacher-reported behaviour problems, indicating that children with less favourable perceptions of their classroom environment were reported by their teachers as less prosocial, more hyperactive, and to have more conduct and peer problems. Socioeconomic status did not significantly moderate any of these relationships. However, parent-reported household chaos was a significant moderator. The classroom environment is related to behaviour problems even when genetic factors are held constant. Classroom environment is more strongly associated with behaviour problems when the home environment is more chaotic.

Research paper thumbnail of Using MZ Differences in the Search for Nonshared Environmental Effects

Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 1996

Research paper thumbnail of Young children’s sibling relationship quality: distal and proximal correlates

Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 2009

Research paper thumbnail of Do sibling and friend relationships share the same temperamental origins? A twin study

Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 2003

Friendship and sibling relationships differ in that there is an element of choice in friendships,... more Friendship and sibling relationships differ in that there is an element of choice in friendships, whilst the latter represent a fixed and given relationship. The present study set out to investigate the temperamental correlates of friendships and sibling relationships, as well as to examine their genetic and environmental components. Two hundred and twelve same-sex twin-pairs (102 MZ and 110 DZ; 104 male pairs and 108 female pairs) aged between 12 and 15, together with their parents, comprised the sample. The twins themselves reported on both negative and positive aspects of the two relationships, and all family members provided reports of the twins' temperament (mothers, fathers, and adolescent self-reports). Analyses revealed that negative aspects of both the sibling relationship and friendship were related to emotionality, while the positive aspects of these relationships were associated with sociability and activity. Genetic influences and the shared environment accounted for variance seen in the sibling relationship. In addition, nonshared environment accounted for a moderate amount of the sibling relationship variability and explained most of the variance for the friendship components. Finally, bivariate analyses of the covariance between temperament and close relationships highlighted the importance of nonshared environmental influences during adolescence. Three themes emerged. First, congruent temperamental expressions were seen across these two relationships' contexts. Second, friendship and the sibling relationship have distinct etiological profiles, indicating the child-specific character of adolescent friendships versus the reciprocal nature of the sibling relationship. Finally, the common influences to temperament and relationship quality provided evidence for the validity of adolescents' unique, nonshared experiences.

Research paper thumbnail of Do risk factors for problem behaviour act in a cumulative manner? An examination of ethnic minority and majority children through an ecological perspective

Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 2004

Extensive research has identified risk factors for problem behaviour in childhood. However, most ... more Extensive research has identified risk factors for problem behaviour in childhood. However, most of this research has focused on isolated variables, ignoring possible additive influences. The purpose of this study was to examine whether risk factors for problem behaviour act in a cumulative manner, and to investigate whether cumulative risk stemming from distinct ecological levels (Bronfenbrenner, 1979) differentially influences the manifestation of problem behaviours in middle childhood. In addition, ethnic differences between minority (i.e., Indian) and majority (i.e., English) families were examined. The sample consisted of 125 children (59 English and 66 of Indian origin) between the ages of 7 and 9.6 (M = 8.51, SD = 0.62) and their parents. Both mothers and fathers completed questionnaires regarding the children's problem behaviour and provided reports of the children's characteristics and environment. Children were also assessed and provided reports about themselves and their relationships. Finally, parent-child mutuality and parenting behaviour were coded from a videotaped parent-child interaction task. Risk factors acted in a cumulative manner - the more risk children experienced, the more problem behaviour they exhibited. Total problem behaviour was predicted by all three levels: individual, microsystem and exosystem. However, externalising problems were mainly predicted by microsystem-level cumulative risk, whereas internalising problems were predicted by both individual-level cumulative risk and exosystem-level cumulative risk. These results were similar for both ethnic groups. The support for the cumulative hypothesis highlights the importance of having a broad picture of children's characteristics and environmental components when analysing children's adjustment. The distinct influence of risk stemming from the different ecological levels suggests that the trajectories of internalising, externalising and total problem behaviour may be different.

Research paper thumbnail of Links between nonshared friendship experiences and adolescent siblings' differences in aspirations

Journal of Adolescence, 2010

Using a sibling design, this study examined the association between adolescents&a... more Using a sibling design, this study examined the association between adolescents' friendship experiences and their aspirations for self-acceptance, affiliation, and financial success. We hypothesized that adolescent siblings would differ in their aspirations and that unique experiences in friendships would be associated with these differences. Within our sample of 102 same-sex sibling pairs (mean age older sibling 16 years, younger sibling 14 years), only a small degree of sibling similarity was found for aspirations as well as friendship experiences. Self-acceptance and affiliation were positively linked to general friendship positivity as well as to positive features of the adolescents' closest friend. Bivariate model-fitting techniques revealed that nonshared processes (i.e., unique to each child in the family) explained these links between friendship experiences and aspirations. The results indicate that growing up in one home and being socialized by the same parents does not make adolescent siblings similar in their aspirations but rather that nonshared experiences like those with close friends are related to aspiration dissimilarity of siblings.

Research paper thumbnail of Links between parenting and extra-familial relationships: Nature or nurture?

Journal of Adolescence, 2009

Research paper thumbnail of Mother– and Father–Child Mutuality in Anglo and Indian British Families: A Link with Lower Externalizing Problems

Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 2000