Exposure to Parental Aggression and the Development of Psychopathology in Young Children: The Mediating Role of Early Dissociative Symptoms

Abstract

Exposure to child-directed parental aggression in early life has been found to increase the risk of later psychopathological symptoms among children and adolescents. However, little is known about intermediate phenotypes and the developmental progression of symptoms, especially across the transition to grade school. Using prospectively collected longitudinal data from a large sample of children enrolled in the Family Life Project ( n = 1,166, 49.7% female), the current study examined the mediating role of early dissociative symptoms in the relations between parental aggression and children’s psychopathological symptoms. Children’s exposure to parental aggression and their dissociative symptoms before school entry were assessed based on primary caregivers’ reports. Teacher ratings of children’s internalizing and externalizing symptoms were collected in pre-kindergarten as well as in the 1st, 3rd, and 5th grades. Results showed that dissociative symptoms before school entry partially mediated the association between parental aggression and persistent externalizing symptoms in school years. However, no significant associations were found between parental aggression or dissociative symptoms and internalizing symptoms. Findings suggest that dissociative symptoms manifested early in life serve as a mediating mechanism and indicator of risk for persistent impulsivity and behavioral problems. Thus, these symptoms could be an important target of preventive services provided to children with adverse experiences in their families.

Gender differences in the prevalence and impact factors of adolescent dissociative symptoms during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic

“…Contrary to the results of Zhang et al . 19 , where females showed higher levels of ADSs scores than males. However, these differences could be attributed to the difference in the sociocultural context (China–Europe), as well as the context of the COVID-19.…”

“…There is an urgent need for scientifically proven and improved potentially modifiable impact factors associated with ADD during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some studies suggested that a modifiable impact factors associated with ADD, such as DSs, should be raised 18 , 19 . According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition (DSM-5), DSs refer to abnormal integration of thoughts, feelings, and experiences (e.g., disengagement, memory disturbances, derealization, and identity alteration) in the stream of consciousness and memory 20 .…”

“…Previous studies have suggested that ADSs could induce several adverse outcomes, including ADD, non-suicidal self-injury, alcohol use disorder, and antisocial personality disorder 10 , 19 – 24 . These studies support a link between DSs and adverse outcomes, and provide evidence for the effects of the early signs of dissociative disorder (DD) overtime.…”

“…So far, there are few studies that have investigated gender characteristics in the prevalence and impact factors of ADSs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Early identification and effective intervention may reduce the impact of ADSs and prevent the occurrence of several adverse outcomes and the persistence of DD into adulthood 19 , 24 , 27 – 29 . This suggested that we might first attempt to identify those adolescents who were at risk of developing DSs at an early stage (e.g., age 13–18 years).…”

“…This suggested that we might first attempt to identify those adolescents who were at risk of developing DSs at an early stage (e.g., age 13–18 years). Given the studies published to date, developmental patterns of the gender difference in ADSs have been largely neglected 12 , 15 , 16 , 18 , 19 , 27 – 29 . Of particular concern are unclear pertaining to gender characteristics in ADSs during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”