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The role of negative affectivity in the developmental pathway linking perinatal complications to behavioral and

Xiaoye Xu1, Lauren C Shuffrey2, Theresa M Bastain3

  • 1Department of Psychology, The State University of New York at Cortland, USA.

Development and Psychopathology
|February 16, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Childhood negative affectivity links perinatal risks like maternal depression and preterm birth to later emotional and behavioral problems. Early interventions can support at-risk children

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Temperamental negative affectivity is a known mediator between perinatal risk and early childhood internalizing problems.
  • The role of negative affectivity in predicting broader behavioral and emotional issues throughout childhood is less understood.
  • Longitudinal studies are crucial for understanding developmental pathways of behavioral and emotional problems.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the longitudinal relationship between perinatal complications, children's negative affectivity, and internalizing, externalizing, and total behavioral problems.
  • To determine if child negative affectivity acts as a developmental mechanism linking perinatal risks to later psychological difficulties.
  • To highlight the importance of early interventions for children at risk for behavioral and emotional problems.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program, including 3070 participants.
  • Examined longitudinal associations between prenatal maternal depression, cardiometabolic complications, preterm birth, low birth weight, and children's negative affectivity.
  • Assessed children's internalizing, externalizing, and total problems across different age ranges.

Main Results:

  • Child negative affectivity was supported as a mechanism linking prenatal maternal depressive symptoms to later emotional and behavioral issues.
  • Preterm birth was also identified as a perinatal risk factor associated with later problems through child negative affectivity.
  • The findings underscore the continuity of negative affectivity's influence from infancy through childhood.

Conclusions:

  • Child negative affectivity plays a significant role in the developmental pathway from perinatal risks to broader childhood behavioral and emotional problems.
  • Early prevention and intervention efforts targeting negative affectivity are crucial for promoting the psychological well-being of at-risk children.
  • Understanding these developmental pathways can inform targeted support for children exposed to perinatal adversity.

Keywords:
emotional and behavioral problemsmediationnegative affectivityperinatal complications

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