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Observed parent-child relationship quality predicts antibody response to vaccination in children

Thomas G O'Connor1, Hongyue Wang2, Jan A Moynihan3

  • 1Wynne Center for Family Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, 300 Crittenden Blvd, Rochester, NY 14642, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, 300 Crittenden Blvd, Rochester, NY 14642, United States.

Brain, Behavior, and Immunity
|April 12, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Parent-child relationship conflict negatively impacts children's immune response to vaccines. This study links relationship quality to antibody response, cortisol reactivity, and BMI in children.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Immunology
  • Pediatric Health

Background:

  • Parent-child relationship quality significantly influences child and adolescent behavioral and emotional health.
  • The impact of parent-child relationships on children's physical health, particularly immune function, is less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between observed parent-child relationship quality during an interaction task and antibody response to meningococcal conjugate vaccine.
  • To examine the links between relationship quality, cortisol reactivity, body mass index (BMI), and somatic illness in children.

Main Methods:

  • A longitudinal study involving 164 ambulatory 10-11 year-old children.
  • Observed parent-child interactions were analyzed for relationship quality (conflict).
  • Antibody response to meningococcal conjugate vaccine, cortisol reactivity, BMI, and somatic illness were measured.

Main Results:

  • Higher observed parent-child conflict predicted a weaker antibody response to meningococcal serotype C vaccine over six months.
  • Conflict also correlated with increased cortisol reactivity post-interaction and higher BMI.
  • These physiological factors did not fully explain the relationship between conflict and antibody response.

Conclusions:

  • Parent-child relationship conflict, a significant stressor, is associated with altered immune system development in children.
  • These findings highlight the potential public health implications of family dynamics on child immunity.
Abstract

Keywords:
Antibody responseMeningococcal conjugate vaccineObservationParent–child interactionStress

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