Intergenerational transmission of adverse childhood experiences via maternal depression and anxiety and moderation by child sex

Abstract

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) of parents are associated with a variety of negative health outcomes in offspring. Little is known about the mechanisms by which ACEs are transmitted to the next generation. Given that maternal depression and anxiety are related to ACEs and negatively affect children's behaviour, these exposures may be pathways between maternal ACEs and child psychopathology. Child sex may modify these associations. Our objectives were to determine: (1) the association between ACEs and children's behaviour, (2) whether maternal symptoms of prenatal and postnatal depression and anxiety mediate the relationship between maternal ACEs and children's behaviour, and (3) whether these relationships are moderated by child sex. Pearson correlations and latent path analyses were undertaken using data from 907 children and their mothers enrolled the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition study. Overall, maternal ACEs were associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression during the perinatal period, and externalizing problems in children. Furthermore, we observed indirect associations between maternal ACEs and children's internalizing and externalizing problems via maternal anxiety and depression. Sex differences were observed, with boys demonstrating greater vulnerability to the indirect effects of maternal ACEs via both anxiety and depression. Findings suggest that maternal mental health may be a mechanism by which maternal early life adversity is transmitted to children, especially boys. Further research is needed to determine if targeted interventions with women who have both high ACEs and mental health problems can prevent or ameliorate the effects of ACEs on children's behavioural psychopathology.

A Canadian perspective on the developmental origins of health and disease: understanding the past as a way forward

“…Letourneau et al 19 tested the theory of intergenerational transmission of stress and found maternal adverse childhood experiences were predictive of mood and anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum, and externalising problems in the children, especially boys. Aylott et al 20 further confirmed this opposite-sex-specific parent-of-origin effect in the etiology of psychotic symptoms.…”

“…Given that maternal anxiety and depression are related to adverse childhood experiences and negatively affect children’s behaviour, 16 – 18 these exposures provide potential pathways between maternal adverse childhood experiences and child psychopathology. Letourneau et al 19 tested the theory of intergenerational transmission of stress and found maternal adverse childhood experiences were predictive of mood and anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum, and externalising problems in the children, especially boys. Aylott et al 20 .…”

Exploring the association between parenting stress and a child's exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)

“…Early experiences in childhood impact how adults later parent their own children (Letourneau et al, 2019). Some adults may have experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), events that occur in a child's life before the age of 18 and include trauma related to household dysfunction, neglect, or abuse (Felitti et al, 1998).…”

“…Some adults may have experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), events that occur in a child's life before the age of 18 and include trauma related to household dysfunction, neglect, or abuse (Felitti et al, 1998). Parents who have been exposed to ACEs are more likely to expose their own children to ACEs (Felitti et al, 1998;Larkin, Shields, & Anda, 2012;Letourneau et al, 2019). The effects of ACEs may be longterm, with poorer mental, physical, and behavioral outcomes in adulthood (Anda et al, 2006;Crouch, Strompolis, Bennett, Morse, & Radcliff, 2017;Felitti et al, 1998).…”

Parental Anger and Trajectories of Emotional Well‐Being from Adolescence to Young Adulthood

“…Overall, a growing body of social psychological research has established that distressing parental emotions—primarily depression, anxiety, or combined measures of anger and aggression—negatively impact children’s emotional and behavioral development (Cohen, ; Galambos et al, ; Letourneau et al, ; Mirowsky & Ross, ; Moretti et al, ).…”