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Liu J, Bai L, Liang X, Yuan S, Wu M, Dong S, Jin H, Wang Z. Mechanisms in the intergenerational effect of maternal childhood maltreatment on offspring externalizing symptoms: The role of maternal and paternal parenting. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2024; 155:107004. [PMID: 39180985 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.107004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although maternal childhood maltreatment has been associated with offspring externalizing symptoms, little is known about the potential mechanisms that contribute to breaking the intergenerational effect of maternal childhood maltreatment. OBJECTIVE The current study aimed to (a) investigate the intergenerational effect between maternal childhood maltreatment and offspring externalizing symptoms in the Chinese family; (b) examine maternal supportive and harsh parenting as potential mediators of this intergenerational effect; and (c) explore the moderating roles of paternal support parenting, as well as paternal harsh parenting, in this mediation process of maternal supportive and harsh parenting. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING The sample consisted of 1111 mother-father-child triads from Beijing, recruited when the children were one and three years old. METHODS Mothers completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, and both parents completed the Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment and Comprehensive Early Childhood Parenting Scale. RESULTS Our results showed that maternal childhood maltreatment was a risk factor for offspring externalizing symptoms at T2 (β = 0.24, t = 6.51, p < .001), and this effect was mediated by maternal supportive (indirect effect = 0.03, 95%CI = [0.02, 0.05]) and harsh parenting (indirect effect = 0.03, 95%CI = [0.02, 0.07]) at T1. Furthermore, paternal harsh parenting moderated the indirect effect of maternal childhood maltreatment on child externalizing symptoms through maternal supportive parenting. CONCLUSIONS These findings contribute to our understanding and provide valuable information for disrupting the intergenerational effect of maternal childhood maltreatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiedi Liu
- Research Center for Child Development, Beijing Key Laboratory of Learning and Cognition, School of Psychology, Capital Normal University, No. 23 Baiduizi Jia, Haidian, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Liu Bai
- Research Center for Child Development, Beijing Key Laboratory of Learning and Cognition, School of Psychology, Capital Normal University, No. 23 Baiduizi Jia, Haidian, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Xi Liang
- Research Center for Child Development, Beijing Key Laboratory of Learning and Cognition, School of Psychology, Capital Normal University, No. 23 Baiduizi Jia, Haidian, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Shangqing Yuan
- Research Center for Child Development, Beijing Key Laboratory of Learning and Cognition, School of Psychology, Capital Normal University, No. 23 Baiduizi Jia, Haidian, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Mei Wu
- Research Center for Child Development, Beijing Key Laboratory of Learning and Cognition, School of Psychology, Capital Normal University, No. 23 Baiduizi Jia, Haidian, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Shuyang Dong
- Research Center for Child Development, Beijing Key Laboratory of Learning and Cognition, School of Psychology, Capital Normal University, No. 23 Baiduizi Jia, Haidian, Beijing 100048, China; Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Hongyan Jin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University First Hospital, Xi'an Men St. 1, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Zhengyan Wang
- Research Center for Child Development, Beijing Key Laboratory of Learning and Cognition, School of Psychology, Capital Normal University, No. 23 Baiduizi Jia, Haidian, Beijing 100048, China.
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Li J, Zhai M, Liu D, Wei L, Liu X, Wang Q, Yu B, Yan H. Pilot study of relationship between prenatal stress during the COVID-19 pandemic and social-emotional development of 12-month-old children: the mediation effects of home environment. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2024; 33:1895-1905. [PMID: 37668698 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-023-02292-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that prenatal stress elevates the risk of children's social-emotional development, but the mechanisms underlying this association are unclear. Home environment provides learning opportunities and stimulation required for children's early development and can be influenced by prenatal maternal stress. This study aimed to examine whether home environment can mediate the association between prenatal stress during the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and their offspring's social-emotional problems thereafter. A pilot sample was derived from 2020 to 2021 Maternal and Child Health Cohort study (N = 82) with the pregnant women recruited during the COVID-19 lockdown period in 2020. Prenatal stress was assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale. Home environment was measured using the Child Home Nurture Environment Scales. Mother-reported toddler social-emotional problems were assessed at 12 months of age. The mediation model was used for data analysis. The mean scores of social-emotional problems, which include externalizing, internalizing, dysregulation, and competence, were 10.98 (5.08), 14.72 (6.49), 15.15 (6.31), and 36.73 (10.26), respectively. Prenatal stress, home environment, and social-emotional problems were significantly related (P < 0.05). Home environment significantly mediated the association between prenatal stress and social-emotional problems with the indirect effect [95% CI] of 0.06 [0.01, 0.14] for externalizing behaviors, 0.10 [0.00, 0.24] for internalizing behaviors, - 0.15 [- 0.31, - 0.01] for competence, 0.08 [0.01, 0.17] and 0.08 [0.01, 0.21] for dysregulation. These findings suggest that prenatal stress may affect offspring's social-emotional problems through the home environment. Screening for prenatal stress and promoting supportive home environment may be potential strategies for social-emotional problems interventions in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayu Li
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University, No.115 Dong Hu Road, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengxi Zhai
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University, No.115 Dong Hu Road, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Dan Liu
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University, No.115 Dong Hu Road, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Liqing Wei
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University, No.115 Dong Hu Road, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Liu
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University, No.115 Dong Hu Road, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiwen Wang
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University, No.115 Dong Hu Road, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Yu
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University, No.115 Dong Hu Road, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hong Yan
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University, No.115 Dong Hu Road, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, People's Republic of China.
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Yu X, He T, Tan Y, Chi P, Lin X. Intergenerational effects of childhood maltreatment: The relationships among parental childhood emotional neglect, emotional expressiveness and children's problem behaviors. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2023; 140:106147. [PMID: 36965433 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood maltreatment has a severe impact on both the health and parenting styles of abused individuals in adulthood, and it even has a negative impact on the offspring of abused individuals. Although studies have confirmed the intergenerational effects of childhood maltreatment, relatively few have emphasized emotional neglect and its mechanism of intergenerational effects. Additionally, few studies have examined the unique role of fathers and how mothers and fathers interact with one another. OBJECTIVE The current study aimed to employ the actor-partner interdependence mediation model to investigate the relationship between parental childhood emotional neglect and children's problem behaviors, as well as whether parents' positive and negative emotional expressiveness plays a mediating role. METHODS, PARTICIPANTS, AND SETTING In total, 397 dyads of mothers and fathers of children aged 6-9 were recruited and reported their childhood emotional neglect experience and emotional expressiveness, and mothers also rated their children's problem behaviors. RESULTS The findings revealed that (a) maternal childhood emotional neglect was associated solely with mothers' own negative emotional expressiveness, followed by their children's problem behavior and (b) paternal childhood emotional neglect showed no effect on children's problem behavior through fathers' own or their spouses' positive and negative emotional expressiveness. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study suggest that childhood emotional neglect has intergenerational effects and that mothers' parenting behaviors are relatively important in preventing adverse effects on their children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Yu
- School of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Ting He
- Institute of Developmental Psychology, School of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Yuxin Tan
- Institute of Developmental Psychology, School of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Peilian Chi
- Department of Psychology, University of Macau, Taipa 999078, Macau.
| | - Xiuyun Lin
- Institute of Developmental Psychology, School of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Applied Experimental Psychology, School of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
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Lv H, Li H. Association between Exposure to Domestic Violence during Childhood and Depressive Symptoms in Middle and Older Age: A Longitudinal Analysis in China. Behav Sci (Basel) 2023; 13:bs13040311. [PMID: 37102825 PMCID: PMC10135905 DOI: 10.3390/bs13040311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to domestic violence (EDV) is a constant threat to social stability and global solidarity and may be associated with an increased risk of depression in later life. This study assessed the association between EDV during childhood and depressive symptoms in middle and older age. A total of 10,521 respondents obtained from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were enrolled in our analysis. Depressive symptoms were measured using the 10-item form of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) scale, and EDV included parental conflict and corporal punishment. A random-effects linear regression was used to assess associations. The results showed positive relationships between "not very often" (β = 0.862; 95% CI:0.512 to 1.211; p < 0.001), "sometimes" (β = 1.692; 95% CI:1.227 to 2.158; p < 0.001) and "often" (β = 2.143; 95% CI:1.299 to 2.987; p < 0.001) in parental conflict and the CES-D scores, compared with that of those reported "never" in parental conflict. Similarly, positive relationships between "sometimes" (β = 0.389; 95% CI:0.091 to 0.687; p = 0.011) and "often" (β = 1.892; 95% CI:1.372 to 2.413; p < 0.001) in corporal punishment and the CES-D scores were observed. EDV is associated with an increased risk of depression in later life. Future research could develop interventions that target EDV and explore the mechanisms in China to further decrease lifetime depression risk and improve the population's mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Lv
- Institutes of Health Central Plains, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China
| | - Haomiao Li
- School of Political Science and Public Administration, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
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Gontijo ML, Moreira JM, Silva TR, Alves CRL. Impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) on the development of 18-months-old children. JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jadr.2022.100401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022] Open
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Zhang Q, Wang L, Dong S, Cao L, Wu C, Liu S. Exploring proximal mechanisms behind intergenerational association between maternal childhood abuse and Chinese preschool children's executive function. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2022; 134:105931. [PMID: 36302286 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal personal history of childhood abuse has been found to predict child social-emotional problems; however, little is known about the intergenerational associations between maternal childhood abuse and child cognitive outcomes. OBJECTIVE This study aims at examining the intergenerational associations of maternal childhood emotional abuse and physical abuse with child executive functions among Chinese families with preschoolers, and exploring how these associations are mediated by maternal perspective-taking skills and mother-child conflict. METHODS Participants were 309 preschoolers (152 boys) aged 2-6 years and their mothers. Mothers reported on their childhood abuse histories, perspective taking, and mother-child conflict at baseline (T1). Five months later (T2), child executive functions including working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility were assessed using five computerized tasks. RESULTS After controlling for child gender and age, associations with child executive functions were found for maternal childhood emotional abuse, but not physical abuse. Specifically, severer childhood emotional abuse directly predicted lower levels of child cognitive flexibility. Furthermore, chained mediation paths were found from maternal childhood emotional abuse to lower levels of child working memory and inhibitory control through worse maternal perspective taking skills and then more mother-child conflicts. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide evidence for less optimal executive functions among preschoolers with emotionally abused mothers. Developing strategies to resolve the long-lasting impacts of maternal childhood emotional abuse may be important for reducing the risks of being unable to fully achieve the cognitive potentials of the next generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Zhang
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Sciences, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing 100101, China
| | - Linan Wang
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi 030001, China
| | - Shuyang Dong
- Faculty of Education, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Lizhi Cao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Sciences, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing 100101, China
| | - Chunxia Wu
- Department of Education, Lyuliang University, Lvliang, Shanxi 033000, China
| | - Siman Liu
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China.
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Ma X, Biaggi A, Sacchi C, Lawrence AJ, Chen PJ, Pollard R, Matter M, Mackes N, Hazelgrove K, Morgan C, Harding S, Simonelli A, Schumann G, Pariante CM, Mehta M, Montana G, Rodriguez-Mateos A, Nosarti C, Dazzan P. Mediators and moderators in the relationship between maternal childhood adversity and children's emotional and behavioural development: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychol Med 2022; 52:1817-1837. [PMID: 35730541 PMCID: PMC9340854 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291722001775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Maternal experiences of childhood adversity can increase the risk of emotional and behavioural problems in their children. This systematic review and meta-analysis provide the first narrative and quantitative synthesis of the mediators and moderators involved in the link between maternal childhood adversity and children's emotional and behavioural development. We searched EMBASE, PsycINFO, Medline, Cochrane Library, grey literature and reference lists. Studies published up to February 2021 were included if they explored mediators or moderators between maternal childhood adversity and their children's emotional and behavioural development. Data were synthesised narratively and quantitatively by meta-analytic approaches. The search yielded 781 articles, with 74 full-text articles reviewed, and 41 studies meeting inclusion criteria. Maternal mental health was a significant individual-level mediator, while child traumatic experiences and insecure maternal-child attachment were consistent family-level mediators. However, the evidence for community-level mediators was limited. A meta-analysis of nine single-mediating analyses from five studies indicated three mediating pathways: maternal depression, negative parenting practices and maternal insecure attachment, with pooled indirect standardised effects of 0.10 [95% CI (0.03-0.17)), 0.01 (95% CI (-0.02 to 0.04)] and 0.07 [95% CI (0.01-0.12)], respectively. Research studies on moderators were few and identified some individual-level factors, such as child sex (e.g. the mediating role of parenting practices being only significant in girls), biological factors (e.g. maternal cortisol level) and genetic factors (e.g. child's serotonin-transporter genotype). In conclusion, maternal depression and maternal insecure attachment are two established mediating pathways that can explain the link between maternal childhood adversity and their children's emotional and behavioural development and offer opportunities for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemei Ma
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Alessandra Biaggi
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Chiara Sacchi
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialisation, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Andrew J. Lawrence
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK
| | - Pei-Jung Chen
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Rebecca Pollard
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Maryam Matter
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Nuria Mackes
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Katie Hazelgrove
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Craig Morgan
- Department of Health Service & Population Research, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Seeromanie Harding
- Division of Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Alessandra Simonelli
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialisation, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Gunter Schumann
- Biological Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Carmine M. Pariante
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK
- Biological Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Mitul Mehta
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Neuroimaging & Psychopharmacology, Centre of Neuroimaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - Ana Rodriguez-Mateos
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, School of Life Course and Population Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Chiara Nosarti
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Centre for the Developing Brain, Department of Perinatal Imaging & Health, School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Paola Dazzan
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialisation, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
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Taşören AB. Childhood maltreatment and emotional distress: The role of beliefs about emotion and psychological inflexibility. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 42:1-12. [PMID: 35039733 PMCID: PMC8754519 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-02594-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The current study aimed to investigate the mediating role of negative beliefs about emotion and psychological inflexibility on the relationship between childhood maltreatment and emotional distress. A total of 519 participants completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), the Leahy Emotional Schema Scale II (LESS-II), and the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II). All scales were significantly correlated. Two mediation analyses were tested. In the first model negative beliefs about emotion and psychological inflexibility mediated the relationship between childhood maltreatment and emotional distress measured by DASS-21 total score. In the second model, negative beliefs about emotion and psychological inflexibility mediated the relationship between childhood maltreatment and depression, anxiety, and stress measured by the subscales of DASS-21. Results suggest that maltreatment in childhood is associated with the individuals' approaches, plans and strategies in response to emotions, and psychological inflexibility which together further determine emotional distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aslı Burçak Taşören
- Istanbul Medipol Universitesi Guney Kampus, Goztepe Mah. Kavacik, Beykoz, Istanbul, Turkey
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Chinese version of comprehensive early childhood parenting questionnaire (CECPAQ-CV): Factor structure, reliability, and validity. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-020-01268-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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