Does Stress Mediate the Relation between Caregivers’ Victimization and Child Behavioral Outcomes? A Prospective Examination

• In Event: Risk and Protective Factors for Child Externalizing Problems: The Role of Parents, Peers, & Physiology

Abstract

Children with externalizing difficulties are at risk for long-term negative effects in adulthood and are impacted by several caregiver factors. Caregiver victimization history (CVH; e.g., physical and sexual abuse) has been identified as a risk factor for child externalizing problems (CEP). Research has investigated potential variables through which CVH may lead to CEP. However, limited studies have explored these relations using a faceted conceptualization of caregiver stress (e.g., stress related relationships/responsibilities [RR], having basic needs [BNS], and health/environment concerns [HE]) within a sample of low-income caregivers. A faceted approach may reveal more specific mechanisms that might otherwise be masked. Thus, this study addressed a gap by investigating the extent to which these facets of caregiver stress served as pathways between CVH and CEP.

Data derived from adult caregivers (N=1354) from the LONGSCAN study. The Eastern, Midwestern, Northwestern, and Southern sites of the study were included in analyses. Caregivers were primarily biological mothers (75%) and self-identified as Black (53%), White (26%), Hispanic (7%), and Multiracial (12%). Caregivers were asked demographic information and completed measures assessing CVH and stress when their children were age 4. CVH was coded as experiences during childhood only, adulthood only, combined childhood and adulthood, and no history of victimization. CEP was assessed when children were ages 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12. Due to the repeated nature of the data, linear mixed modeling and multilevel mediation was utilized to test hypotheses regarding CEP. Models adjusted for baseline (child age=4) caregiver age, baseline caregiver depression, baseline caregiver partnered status, time, site, baseline child violence exposure, and child sex.

See Table 1 for main results. Findings indicated direct, prospective, associations between CVH and CEP; although, this association was site specific as indicated by a significant site by CVH interaction. Specifically, children of caregivers with child only (Midwest site; log units=0.55, p<.05) and adult only (Eastern site; log units=0.38, p<.05) victimization demonstrated greater EP than children of caregivers with no victimization history. Caregiver RR and HE stress were also prospectively related to CEP (log units ranging from 0.04-0.05, ps<.05). Caregiver BNS stress showed site specific relations (Midwest and Southern sites; log units ranging from 0.04-0.05, ps<.05). Facets of caregiver stress did not mediate the relation between CVH and CEP (95% confidence intervals ranging from -0.09-0.19) within or across sites.

This work offers several implications. First, this study highlights the importance of assessing caregiver trauma and adversity, specifically when working with caregivers seeking parent training for disruptive child behaviors, given the association between CVH and child EP. Additionally, working with caregivers to learn effective relational skills and providing caregivers with access to resources (e.g., medical care and housing and food acquisition assistance) could mitigate stress experienced by caregivers and thus, minimize child behavior problems and improve parent-child interactions. Future studies should aim to understand the dynamics of the mechanism as well as potential mechanisms of the relations between caregiver victimization and child behavior problems beyond everyday stress such as caregiver and child biological traits (e.g., inflammation) or post-traumatic stress disorder symptomology.

Authors

• Tre D Gissandaner, New York State Psychiatric Institute
  Presenting Author

• Adam T Schmidt, Texas Tech University

• Ann M Mastergeorge, Texas Tech University

• Jordan A Gette, Rutgers University

• Andrew K Littlefield, Texas Tech University