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Early life adversity and males: Biology, behavior, and implications for fathers' parenting

Eileen M Condon1, Amanda Dettmer2, Ellie Baker3

  • 1University of Connecticut School of Nursing, 231 Glenbrook Rd, Storrs, CT 06269, United States; Yale Early Stress and Adversity Consortium, United States.

Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
|January 22, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Early life adversity (ELA) significantly impacts male neurobiology, hormones, and behavior, affecting fathering. More research is vital to understand these effects and develop interventions to prevent intergenerational ELA transmission.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Behavioral Biology

Background:

  • Father's influence on child development is crucial but understudied.
  • Limited research exists on how early life adversity (ELA) affects fathering.
  • Understanding paternal ELA effects is key to preventing intergenerational transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the effects of ELA on males across neurobiology, hormones, epigenetics, and behavior.
  • To propose a conceptual model for ELA's impact on male parenting.
  • To guide future research and interventions for fathers exposed to ELA.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review of human and non-human animal studies.
  • Analysis of ELA effects on neurobiology, neurocognition, hormones, gene-environment interactions, epigenetics, and behavior in males.
  • Development of a conceptual model outlining biological and behavioral pathways.

Main Results:

  • ELA exposure in males is linked to alterations in neurobiology, neurocognition, hormonal systems, and behavior.
  • Gene-environment interactions and epigenetic mechanisms mediate ELA's effects.
  • These biological and behavioral changes can influence parenting styles and outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • ELA profoundly impacts male development, with implications for fathering.
  • A conceptual model highlights pathways through which ELA influences paternal behavior.
  • Further empirical research and targeted interventions are necessary to support fathers and prevent ELA's intergenerational cycle.

Keywords:
Adverse Childhood ExperiencesFathersParentingParentsPaternal behavior

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