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Physiological and Behavioral Vulnerability Markers Increase Risk to Early Life Stress in Preschool-Aged Children

Marissa R Kushner1, Chesley Barrios1, Victoria C Smith1

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA.

Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
|October 2, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Early life stress and blunted cortisol reactivity predict preschool externalizing symptoms. Maternal depression combined with negative emotionality in children impacts social competence, highlighting the importance of the early environment.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Clinical Psychology

Background:

  • Early life experiences significantly shape child development and mental health.
  • Understanding risk factors for preschool psychopathology is crucial for early intervention.
  • Maternal depression and stressful life events are known environmental stressors impacting children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how child physiological (cortisol reactivity) and behavioral (negative emotionality) factors moderate the link between early environment and preschool psychopathology.
  • To examine the association between rearing environment, child risk factors, and preschool psychosocial functioning.
  • To identify pathways contributing to early-onset psychopathology and impairment.

Main Methods:

  • A sample of 156 preschoolers underwent observational temperament assessment and a laboratory stress task with salivary cortisol collection.
  • Parents provided information on child and parent psychopathology and stressful life events via clinical interviews.
  • Cortisol reactivity patterns and negative emotionality were analyzed as potential moderators.

Main Results:

  • A blunted cortisol reactivity pattern combined with stressful life events correlated with increased externalizing symptoms and decreased psychosocial functioning in preschoolers.
  • Higher life stress was linked to elevated internalizing symptoms.
  • Children exhibiting high negative emotionality and exposed to maternal depression showed the lowest social competence.

Conclusions:

  • The early rearing environment plays a critical role in preschool psychopathology and functioning, especially for children with identified risk factors.
  • Child physiological and behavioral factors significantly moderate the impact of early environmental exposures.
  • Findings enhance understanding of the complex pathways leading to early psychopathology and impairment.

Keywords:
Cortisol reactivityNegative emotionalityPreschool psychopathologyRiskTemperamentVulnerability

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