Brief Report: Antecedents of Relationship Dynamics Among Primary Caregivers and Preschool-Aged Children Who Have...

Early childhood adversity is linked with health problems across the lifespan; however, a healthy, adaptive relationship with caregiver(s) can foster resilience. Little is known about what aspects of the family context may be influential in shaping parent-child relationship dynamics, particularly for families experiencing adversity. In this brief report, we tested the association of two potential predictors (child temperament and quality of the home environment) and observed parent-child relationship dynamics (parent-child cohesion, enmeshment, and disengagement).

Participants in this multimethod (observational assessment, parent-report survey, semi-structured interview, child protection records) study included 274 preschool-aged children (M age = 50.86 months) with and without child welfare-substantiated maltreatment (52% with documented case of moderate-severe maltreatment) and their primary caregivers assessed at two timepoints spaced 6 months apart. Structural equation modeling was used to estimate associations between child dysregulated temperament, quality of the home environment, and parent-child relationship dynamics (parent-child cohesion, enmeshment, and disengagement) both concurrently (baseline) and prospectively (6 months later).

Results of structural equation modeling showed: (a) higher child dysregulated temperament predicted lower parent-child cohesion 6 months later (controlling for baseline), and (b) higher quality home environment predicted higher parent-child cohesion and lower parent-child disengagement at baseline and 6 months later (controlling for baseline). Neither child temperament nor quality of the home environment predicted parent-child enmeshment at either timepoint.

Findings may help inform preventive interventions designed to promote healthy parent-child relationship dynamics among families experiencing significant adversity.