The Importance of Critical Life Events During Childhood for the Mental Health of Adolescents - Results of a 10-Year Catamnesis

Abstract

The Importance of Critical Life Events During Childhood for the Mental Health of Adolescents - Results of a 10-Year Catamnesis Abstract. Objective: This longitudinal study examines the influence of critical life events in childhood on mental disorders in childhood and adolescence. It includes parental mental disorders and parenting behavior as mediators. The review is carried out using structural equation models, separately for maternal and paternal mediators. Method: The sample consisted of 249 families examined at six measurement points (pre to FU10); the average age of the children was 4 years, that of the adolescents 10 years later thus 14 years (FU10). Information on critical life events was collected based on a defined list. Results: In the case of mothers, the influence of critical life events on mental disorders in childhood is completely mediated by the mental health of the mother and their dysfunctional parenting. The mediation effect of fathers' mental health is significantly less than that of the mothers (partial mediation), while their parenting behavior showed no mediating influence. Mental disorders in adolescence can be predicted primarily through mental disorders in childhood. There are no significant differences between internalizing and externalizing disorders. Conclusions: Parental mental health and parenting behavior, in particular of the mother, provide concrete starting points for prevention and intervention programs. Future studies should include mothers and fathers alike. Especially the role of fathers should be examined more closely.