To address these knowledge gaps, the IRMA study combines a longitudinal design with a randomized controlled trial (RCT). In the study, 596 children and their parents will be followed for ten years (from when the children turn nine). In half of the families, both biological parents are psychiatrically burdened and these families are randomized to long-term prevention or to be followed prospectively (life-as-usual).
With the support of research funds from EpiHealth, Max Thorsson joins the IRMA study as a postdoc.
As a PhD student, Max has studied how physical and psychiatric difficulties are connected and he has developed several innovative methods to measure motor and social abilities relevant to these connections. Max will be responsible for statistical prediction modeling and integration of physical, genetic and psychosocial information into the study. Several of the measurement instruments in the IRMA study have been harmonized with the EpiHealth cohort, which will contribute to an increased understanding of genetic, physical and psychosocial risks in participating parents and how these are related to the development of psychiatric problems in their children.