Pregnancy and birth complications and externalizing behavioral problems in preschoolers: An empirical study

• In Event: Biosocial Research on Aggression and Delinquency of Young People

Abstract

Studies have shown that pregnancy and birth complications are associated with an increased risk for aggressive and delinquent behavior in childhood and later criminality. Neuropsychological theories of self-control can explain this relation. However, it is yet unclear whether there is a direct effect or an interaction with social factors. The present study investigates this question with regard to aggression, delinquency and hyperactivity in preschool-children. The sample consisted of 611 boys and girls at age 4 to 5 years. Pregnancy/birth complications were assessed from regular prenatal and pediatric checkup documents. Externalizing child behavior problems were measured by reports of kindergarten educators/preschool teachers in the Social Behavior Questionnaire. The medical complications correlated significantly with the behavior problems, but this effect disappeared after control of the family’s socio-economic background. However, there was an interaction effect between prenatal/birth complications and SES. Children with complications and low SES had the highest scores in aggressive and delinquent behavior. Our study also suggests that pregnancy/birth complications are only a risk factor in cases in which head circumference (as a rough indicator of brain development) did not reach a normal level during infancy.

Authors

• Friedrich Loesel, Cambridge University / University of Erlangen-Nuremberg

• Ute Koglin, University of Oldenburg