The EGDS dataset has been used to examine the interplay between genetic and environmental influences on a range of child outcomes related to the prevention of child psychopathology. In one study, associations between mother’s structured parenting and toddler behavior problems were examined as a function of whether the child had an elevated inherited risk for psychopathology, as measured by birth parent psychopathology (e.g., anxiety, depression, antisocial behavior, and drug use) (Leve et al., 2009). Structured parenting was observed during a parent-child clean-up task and microsocially coded for maternal statements and questions that aimed to promote behavioral change or suggest a specific task-relevant action to the child, such as “Where does this ring go?,” or “Put the duck in this box.” Emotional tone was not coded and as such, the defining characteristic was whether the parent structured the task for the child (as opposed to engaging in other behaviors such as talking about non-task related topics, providing positive reinforcement, or ignoring the child). An interaction between inherited risk and maternal structured parenting was found, indicating two distinct pathways to child problems:
