Citation

Hentges RF, Graham SA, Plamondon A, Tough S, Madigan S. J. Pediatr. Psychol. 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Owerko Centre, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/jpepsy/jsz044

PMID

31166597

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study utilized a developmental cascade approach to test alternative theories about the underlying mechanisms behind the association of maternal prenatal stress and child psychopathology. The fetal programming hypothesis suggests that prenatal stress affects fetal structural and physiological systems responsible for individual differences in child temperament, which further increases risk for internalizing and externalizing problems. Interpersonal models of stress transmission suggest that maternal stress influences child mental health via early parenting behaviors. We also examined a continuation of stress hypothesis, in which prenatal stress predicts child mental health via the continuation of maternal stress in the postpartum period.

METHODS: Participants were 1,992 mother-child pairs drawn from a prospective pregnancy cohort. Mothers reported on their perceived stress, anxiety, and depression during pregnancy and at 4-month postpartum. Birthweight was assessed via medical records of birthweight. At 4-month postpartum, hostile-reactive parenting behaviors were assessed. Child temperamental negative affect was measured at age 3. Child internalizing and externalizing problems were assessed at age 5.

RESULTS: Prenatal stress was associated with both internalizing and externalizing problems via postnatal stress and child temperament. Prenatal stress was also associated with externalizing behaviors via increased hostile-reactive parenting. After accounting for postnatal factors, prenatal stress continued to have a direct effect on child internalizing, but not externalizing, symptoms.

CONCLUSION: Results provide support for the fetal programming, interpersonal stress transmission, and continuation of stress models.

FINDINGS highlight the need for prenatal preventative programs that continue into the early postnatal period, targeting maternal stress and parenting behaviors.

© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Pediatric Psychology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Language: en

Keywords

developmental psychopathology; fetal programming; mental health; prenatal stress