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The Association of Birth Complications and Externalizing Behavior in Early Adolescents: Direct and Mediating Effects

Jianghong Liu1, Adrian Raine, Anne Wuerker

  • 1University of Pennsylvania.

Journal of Research on Adolescence : the Official Journal of the Society for Research on Adolescence
|April 10, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Birth complications increase the risk of externalizing behavior problems in children. Lower Intelligence Quotient (IQ) mediates this link, highlighting potential early intervention targets.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Birth complications and psychosocial factors are linked to childhood externalizing behavior and adult criminality.
  • The direct impact of birth complications on externalizing behavior and its underlying mechanisms require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if birth complications predict externalizing behavior in early adolescence.
  • To examine if Intelligence Quotient (IQ) mediates the relationship between birth complications and externalizing behavior.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective, longitudinal study of 1,795 children from a birth cohort in Mauritius.
  • Data collected on birth complications, malnutrition, psychosocial adversity, and externalizing behavior problems at ages 3 and 11 years.

Main Results:

  • Children with birth complications showed a higher likelihood of developing externalizing behavior problems at age 11.
  • Low IQ was associated with birth complications and mediated the association between early predictors and later externalizing behavior.

Conclusions:

  • Birth complications are a significant predictor of early adolescent externalizing behavior.
  • IQ plays a mediating role, suggesting potential targets for early intervention and prevention strategies.

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