2025/01/26 by Sheri Madigan, André Plamondon, Jennifer M. Jenkins · 1 voice · 2 citations
Psychology · Social Sciences · #Child Abuse and Trauma #Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development #Family Dynamics and Relationships
paper · doi:10.1111/jcpp.14118
openalex publication_date 2025/01/26 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/09
BACKGROUND: This longitudinal study with multi-informant (maternal, paternal, and experimenter) and multimethod (questionnaires, behavioral observations, and standardized assessments) data tests an intergenerational model from mothers' adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) to their children's socio-emotional and cognitive outcomes. METHODS: Participants were 501 children (50.7% male) and caregivers (56.5% white) followed from child age 2 months to 5 years. Mothers reported on their ACEs, as well as their postnatal socio-economic status (SES), marital conflict, and depressive symptoms. Observers rated maternal sensitivity using validated coding systems. Partners' history of childhood conduct problems and children's emotional and conduct problems were rated by mothers and fathers, and cognition was assessed by experimenters using standardized assessments. RESULTS: Maternal ACEs score was associated with children's socio-emotional and cognitive outcomes through unique intermediary pathways. Specifically, maternal ACEs were related to child emotion problems through SES, paternal history of conduct problems, and maternal depression. Maternal ACEs to child conduct problems operated via SES, paternal history of conduct problems, and marital conflict. Maternal ACEs to child cognitive skills operated through SES and maternal sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal ACEs, economic stress, and paternal history of conduct problems may collectively strain families, diverting caregiver attention and resources, which may impact childrearing and children's development. To effectively address root causes of intergenerational risks, it is critical to advocate for resources and supports that mitigate these hardship conditions. In addition, interventions that target modifiable individual and family factors may hold the greatest promise for breaking cycles of generational risk and promoting healthier outcomes for children and families.