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Clayborne ZM, Nilsen W, Torvik FA, Gustavson K, Bekkhus M, Gilman SE, Khandaker GM, Fell DB, Colman I. Prenatal maternal stress, child internalizing and externalizing symptoms, and the moderating role of parenting: findings from the Norwegian mother, father, and child cohort study. Psychol Med 2023; 53:2437-2447. [PMID: 37310302 PMCID: PMC10264827 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291721004311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few studies have examined how parenting influences the associations between prenatal maternal stress and children's mental health. The objectives of this study were to examine the sex-specific associations between prenatal maternal stress and child internalizing and externalizing symptoms, and to assess the moderating effects of parenting behaviors on these associations. METHODS This study is based on 15 963 mother-child dyads from the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). A broad measure of prenatal maternal stress was constructed using 41 self-reported items measured during pregnancy. Three parenting behaviors (positive parenting, inconsistent discipline, and positive involvement) were assessed by maternal report at child age 5 years. Child symptoms of internalizing and externalizing disorders (depression, anxiety, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, and oppositional-defiant disorder) were assessed by maternal report at age 8. Analyses were conducted using structural equation modeling techniques. RESULTS Prenatal maternal stress was associated with child internalizing and externalizing symptoms at age 8; associations with externalizing symptoms differed by sex. Associations between prenatal maternal stress and child depression, and conduct disorder and oppositional-defiant disorder in males, became stronger as levels of inconsistent discipline increased. Associations between prenatal maternal stress and symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in females were attenuated as levels of parental involvement increased. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms associations between prenatal maternal stress and children's mental health outcomes, and demonstrates that these associations may be modified by parenting behaviors. Parenting may represent an important intervention target for improving mental health outcomes in children exposed to prenatal stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra M Clayborne
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Wendy Nilsen
- Work Research Institute, OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Fartein Ask Torvik
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kristin Gustavson
- Department of Psychology, PROMENTA Research Center, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mona Bekkhus
- Department of Psychology, PROMENTA Research Center, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Stephen E Gilman
- Social and Behavioral Sciences Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Rockville, MD, USA
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Golam M Khandaker
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Fulbourn, UK
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Centre for Academic Mental Health, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Deshayne B Fell
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Ian Colman
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
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Williams CD, Lozada FT, Hood KB, Umaña-Taylor AJ, Jahromi LB, Updegraff KA. Mexican-origin 5-year-old children's ethnic-racial identity centrality and attitudes predicting social functioning. CULTURAL DIVERSITY & ETHNIC MINORITY PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 28:158-170. [PMID: 34843297 PMCID: PMC9670273 DOI: 10.1037/cdp0000511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Early childhood is an important developmental period to focus on the outcomes associated with ethnic-racial identity (ERI) given that children notice racial differences, are processing information about ethnicity and race, and have race-related experiences. The present study tested whether three components of ERI (i.e., positive attitudes, negative attitudes, and centrality) predicted children's social functioning (i.e., interactive, disruptive, and disconnected play with peers; externalizing behaviors; and observed frustration and cooperation with an adult). Child sex was also tested as a moderator. METHOD The present study included 182 5-year-old Mexican-origin children (57% male) of mothers who entered parenthood during adolescence (M = 21.95, SD = 1.00). RESULTS Children's positive ethnic-racial attitudes were associated with greater social functioning (i.e., greater interactive play and less externalizing behaviors) among boys and girls, and less frustration among boys. Negative ethnic-racial attitudes predicted maladaptive social functioning (i.e., greater disruptive play) among boys and girls and more disconnected play among girls. Contrary to expectations, ethnic-racial centrality predicted boys' and girls' maladaptive social functioning (i.e., greater disruptive and disconnected play). CONCLUSIONS Findings highlight the importance of fostering children's positive ethnic-racial attitudes and helping them discuss and cope with negative ethnic-racial attitudes to promote more adaptive social functioning. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).
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Paquin V, Lapierre M, Veru F, King S. Early Environmental Upheaval and the Risk for Schizophrenia. Annu Rev Clin Psychol 2021; 17:285-311. [PMID: 33544627 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-081219-103805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Why does prenatal exposure to wars, natural disasters, urbanicity, or winter increase the risk for schizophrenia? Research from the last two decades has provided rich insight about the underlying chains of causation at play during environmental upheaval, from conception to early infancy. In this review, we appraise the evidence linking schizophrenia spectrum disorder to prenatal maternal stress, obstetric complications, early infections, and maternal nutrition and other lifestyle factors. We discuss putative mechanisms, including the maternal stress system, perinatal hypoxia, and maternal-offspring immune activation. We propose that gene-environment interactions, timing during development, and sex differentiate the neuropsychiatric outcomes. Future research should pursue the translation of animal studies to humans and the longitudinal associations between early exposures, intermediate phenotypes, and psychiatric disorders. Finally, to paint a comprehensive model of risk and to harness targets for prevention, we argue that risk factors should be situated within the individual's personal ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Paquin
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3A 1A1, Canada; .,Douglas Research Centre, Montréal, Québec H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Mylène Lapierre
- Douglas Research Centre, Montréal, Québec H4H 1R3, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec H2V 2S9, Canada
| | - Franz Veru
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3A 1A1, Canada; .,Douglas Research Centre, Montréal, Québec H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Suzanne King
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3A 1A1, Canada; .,Douglas Research Centre, Montréal, Québec H4H 1R3, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec H2V 2S9, Canada
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