Progression of Transdiagnostic Stages From Childhood to Young Adulthood

Abstract

Importance: Transdiagnostic clinical staging models for mental disorders are receiving increased attention. However, their underlying assumptions are underresearched; for example, it is not clear whether the observed progression across stages occurs independently of preexisting risk factors. Objectives: To test the likelihood of progression from stage 0 (familial risk) in childhood to stage 1a (mild symptoms) in adolescence and subsequently to stage 1b (clinically significant symptoms) in young adulthood, accounting for confounders, and to explore potential mediators. Design, Setting, and Participants: This prospective cohort study included participants from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Pa..