Poster #96 - Maternal Childhood Maltreatment Experiences and Emotion Dysregulation Predict Newborn Neurobehavioral Outcomes

• In Event: 3-106 - Poster Session 11
  In Poster Session: PS 11 Section - Family Context & Processes

Integrative Statement

Background: Recent research on intergenerational transmission of stress indicate maternal adverse childhood experiences may affect offspring development independently of and in interaction with prenatal stressors (Gray et al., 2017; Scorza et al., 2018). For instance, maternal childhood maltreatment (CM) exposure has been associated with smaller brain size and less gray matter volume among newborn offspring independent of infant sex, obstetric complications, and maternal pre- and early postpartum stress (Moog et al., 2017). In the present study, we aim to extend this body of research by investigating the relations between maternal CM exposure and newborn neurobehavioral outcomes. No study to date has connected maternal history of CM with a well-established evaluation of newborn neurobehavior and the mechanisms driving this relation remain largely unknown (Scorza et al., 2018). Maternal emotion dysregulation (ED) may act as a mediator of the association between maternal CM and newborn neurobehavior, as CM can foster the development of dysregulated emotional responding (Alink, Cicchetti, Kim, & Rogosch, 2009) and ED can impact development across the lifespan (Cole, Hall, and Hajal, 2017). Thus, we propose two competing models, one in which maternal ED mediates the relation between maternal CM and newborn outcomes and the other in which maternal ED moderates the relation.

Method: Participants included English- and Spanish-speaking pregnant women (N = 144) and their newborns (N = 127), who were drawn from an NIH-funded study examining intergenerational transmission of emotion dysregulation. Participants completed the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS; Gratz & Roemer, 2004) and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ; Bernstein et al., 1994) during pregnancy. Newborn outcomes were measured within 48 hours of birth with the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS; Lester & Tronick, 2004).

Results: A principal components analysis indicated a potential four-factor model for the NNNS. Correlation analyses revealed a positive relation between maternal CM and the third factor, lethargy (r = .290, p < .01), and a positive relation between maternal ED and the fourth factor, physiological stress signs—specifically, physiological, autonomic, and gastrointestinal (r = .251, p < .01). Thus, subsequent moderation and mediation analyses included factors 3 and 4 as viable newborn outcomes. Simple mediation analyses (PROCESS Model 4; Hayes, 2013) revealed a significant direct effect of maternal CM on newborn lethargy (c’ = .016, CI = .003 to .030; see Figure 1) as well as significant mediation of maternal CM through maternal ED on newborn physiological stress signs (ab = .008, CI = .001 to .018; see Figure 2). We found no significant moderating effects of maternal ED.

Discussion: Results will be interpreted in the context of a growing body of research emphasizing the significance of maternal pre-conception—in addition to prenatal—stressors on offspring development (e.g., Scorza et al., 2018). As well, results will be linked to important social policy discussions—for example, regarding trauma-informed prenatal care and newborn neurobehavior screening. If we can address empirically-supported transmission factors during pregnancy and pre-conception, we may be able to reduce the accumulation of behavioral and health risks across generations.

Authors

• Parisa Kaliush, University of Utah
  Presenting Author

• Brendan Ostlund, University of Utah
  Non-Presenting Author

• Sarah Terrell, University of Utah
  Non-Presenting Author

• Mindy Brown, University of Utah
  Non-Presenting Author

• Elisabeth Conradt, University of Utah
  Non-Presenting Author

• Sheila Crowell, University of Utah
  Non-Presenting Author