What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine the developmental trajectories of social responsiveness and theory of mind in adolescents at familial high risk for schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

April 22, 2026Open Access

Developmental trajectories of social responsiveness and theory of mind in adolescent offspring at familial high‐risk of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder and population‐based controls—The Danish High Risk and Resilience Study, VIA 15

Key Points

To examine the developmental trajectories of social responsiveness and theory of mind in adolescents at familial high risk for schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
Analyzed developmental patterns in offspring at familial high risk for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder compared to population-based controls.
Evaluated social responsiveness and theory of mind from childhood to adolescence.
Offspring at familial high risk for schizophrenia (FHR-SZ) exhibited significant deficits in social responsiveness.
Similar developmental issues were observed among offspring at familial high risk for bipolar disorder (FHR-BP).

Abstract

Especially offspring at FHR-SZ, but also offspring at FHR-BP, show developmental deficits in social responsiveness and normal ToM development from childhood to adolescence, indicating that social responsiveness impairments may constitute a vulnerability marker. Additional studies are needed to validate our findings and to investigate the long-term impact of social responsiveness impairments in offspring at FHR-SZ or FHR-BP.

Developmental trajectories of social responsiveness and theory of mind in adolescent offspring at familial high‐risk of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder and population‐based controls—The Danish High Risk and Resilience Study, VIA 15

Key Points

Abstract

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