Maternal History of Child Maltreatment Predicts Dysregulated Offspring Stress Response System Functioning

Identifying proximal and multigenerational distal risk mechanisms through which adversity exposure may shape neuroendocrine dysregulation among children is critical to advancing effective preventive interventions for adversity-exposed individuals. Utilizing longitudinal data (N = 247), the current study examined maternal and offspring history of childhood maltreatment (CM) as predictors of offspring cortisol/DHEA ratios, and, in exploratory analyses, extended this longitudinally to offspring depressive symptoms in young adulthood. Youth (ages 8-13 years) initially attended a research camp, then were followed up approximately eight years later (ages 18-22 years). Maternal history of CM significantly predicted their offspring's childhood cortisol/DHEA ratio over and above the effects of the offspring's history of CM. Offspring CM was not a significant predictor of the ratio. The cortisol/DHEA ratio did not mediate the relationship between maternal history of CM and offspring emerging adulthood depression. Results highlight an intergenerational cascade of CM and negative outcomes and support inclusion of maternal experiences in screening for at-risk youth.