Child Behavioral Outcomes Research Articles

Maternal depressive symptoms and physical intimate partner violence and children’s internalizing and externalizing behaviors in Guyanese families: Mediating role of constructive conflict behavior.

Using models of risk and resilience as a guide, this study examined the mediating role of constructive conflict behaviors on the associations between maternal depressive symptoms, intimate partner violence (IPV), and child behavior problems. The nature of the mediation pathways was also examined for two groups of families, one experiencing high and another experiencing low levels of partner social support. Participants included 196 mothers and their preschool-aged children from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds in Guyana. Constructive conflict behaviors partially mediated the link between maternal depressive symptoms and children's externalizing behaviors. Maternal depressive symptoms and physical intimate partner violence were directly related to children's internalizing behaviors. Constructive conflict behaviors were not a mediator of the association between risk factors and children's behavioral outcomes for families experiencing high or low levels of partner social support. In the context of families experiencing high partner social support, constructive conflict behaviors appeared to be more effective in reducing children's externalizing problem behaviors. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Preparing Black and Latinx children for police encounters: Caregiver response profiles and child self-regulation.

We hypothesized that the goodness-of-fit between profiles of observed, caregiver-provided ethnic-racial socialization (ERS), and child self-regulation (i.e., inhibitory control) would differentially associate with child behavioral outcomes. Conversations between 80 caregivers (45% Latinx; 55% Black) and their children (M age =11.09; 46% female) were rated for ERS. Measures included an inhibitory control composite (ages 2.5-3.5) and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL; age 12). Three profiles were determined: Comprehensive (n =34), Reactive (n =8), and Pragmatic (n =38). Only youth with low inhibitory control in preschool appeared to benefit from Pragmatic ERS, whereas youth with normative or high inhibitory control in early childhood displayed lower internalizing and externalizing behaviors when they had Comprehensive or Reactive rather than Pragmatic caregivers.

Gendered Associations between Single Parenthood and Child Behavior Problems in the United Kingdom.

Internalizing and externalizing behavior problems are associated with a variety of negative child outcomes, but these conclusions have been drawn from research that usually compares children in families with two biological, married parents to all other family types. We compare behavior problems across two-parent, single-mother, and single-father families, which allows us to explore competing gender theories as possible explanations for why child behavior outcomes may be different across these three categories. Results from analyses of the UK Millennium Cohort Study suggest that while children in both single-mother and single-father families initially look like they experience more behavior problems than those in two-parent families, controlling for physical and, especially, social resources explains potential differences. Similarly, when single mothers and single fathers occupy similar family environments in terms of physical and social resources, their children report similar behavior. In contrast to findings from the US, children of single mothers who occupy similar family environments as children in two-parent families in terms of resources perform slightly better in terms of externalizing behavior problems than their two-parent counterparts. We conclude that constructivist theories more accurately explain gendered parenting behavior and its consequences for child behavior problems. Environmental factors such as income, parental closeness, and participation in extracurricular activities have a significant effect on child behavior problems.

Behavioral Outcomes of Children With In-Utero Opioid Exposure Age 2-7 and Parenting Self-Efficacy.

The relationship between behavior difficulties and parenting self-efficacy in children with in-utero opioid exposure (IOE) remains a significant gap that needs to be addressed for providers to better understand the mental health trajectories of children with IOE and help these families. In this study, caregivers' perception of their child's behavior and potential relationships between parenting self-efficacy, child temperament, and behavior difficulties were investigated. A descriptive survey design with a convenience sample of 143 caregivers of 2- to 7-year-old children with IOE who had follow-up visits in a Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) clinic was used for this study. Data were collected using a survey of demographics, the Children's Behavior Questionnaire, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale. The overall sample scored in the average range of behavior difficulties, but a subgroup of children with very high difficulties was identified who exhibited a negative temperament, and caregivers reported a lower sense of parenting competence. There were no differences between groups on demographic variables. High negative affect and low effortful control are predictive of later internalizing and externalizing problems, as well as broader problems in self-regulation, school readiness, and socioemotional competence. Thus, although a large percentage of children treated for NAS appear to be functioning at the same level as their peers, a subset of children appears to be at higher risk. Child behavior as well as caregiver self-efficacy should be assessed during all provider encounters.

Paternity leave, family dynamics, and children's behavior in Singapore

AbstractObjectiveConduct the first empirical study to examine whether a father taking paternity leave is related to children's social–emotional development in Asia and the extent to which family dynamics mediate this relationship.BackgroundThe provision of paid paternity leave in Asia is relatively recent compared to many western societies. The impact of this policy on family dynamics and children's well‐being in Asia, where patriarchal ideology is more prevalent and women's labor force participation is high, is understudied. This study investigates this relationship in Singapore where government‐paid paternity leave was initiated in 2013.MethodThis study uses data from the Singapore Longitudinal Early Development Study which consists of 3895 children aged under 7. Multivariate regressions and propensity score matching analyses are conducted to assess the relationships between paternity leave‐taking, family dynamics, and children's behavioral outcomes. The KHB method is used to test the mediation effects of family dynamics.ResultsA 2‐week or longer paternity leave is significantly associated with lower family conflicts, mothers' parenting aggravation, higher marital satisfaction, fathers' involvement, and closer father–child relations. Paternity leave‐taking, mediated through positive family dynamics, is significantly associated with lower behavior problems in children.ConclusionRelatively short paternity leave (2 weeks) can benefit both family dynamics and children's social–emotional outcomes. These results have implications for policies that aim to enhance work‐family life balance and gender equality in society.

The Craniofacial Collaboration UK: Developmental Outcomes in 5-Year-Old Children With Metopic Synostosis.

The Craniofacial Collaboration (CC-UK) was setup in 2015 as a joint initiative between the Psychology teams attached to the 4 highly specialized craniofacial centers in the United Kingdom. The CC-UK aims to address key limitations in the existing craniofacial literature by applying strict exclusion criteria and collating clinical data on a homogenous sample of children. This article reports the fourth wave of data collection from the CC-UK, with the analysis of developmental and behavioral outcomes for children with metopic synostosis at 5 years old. Previous data for sagittal synostosis at 3 and 5 years, and metopic synostosis at 3 years, have been presented. This paper offers the first analysis of developmental and behavioral parent-report measures at school age for metopic synostosis. All children in the current data set had primary corrective surgery. Findings highlight similar patterns to that of previous research among children with single-suture craniosynostosis, as well as earlier CC-UK analyses, with the majority falling within 1 standard deviation of the normative mean. However, differences across key behavioral and emotional domains, with some areas reporting heightened concerns compared with those detected among sagittal groups, may suggest that subtle differences between individual diagnostic groups are present. This further highlights the importance of utilizing homogenous samples within the field of craniofacial research. To further build upon this work, and to provide a greater understanding of how these difficulties and concerns may develop, or diminish, over time, further consideration to longitudinal outcomes is needed for individual diagnostic groups. Through this collaboration, the authors seek to achieve this goal in their future work.

Quantifying the contribution of poverty and family adversity to adverse child outcomes in the UK: evidence from the UK Millennium Cohort Study

BackgroundAdolescent health is poor in the UK, with higher prevalence of adverse outcomes in adolescents exposed to family adversities that cluster with poverty from early life. However, little evidence exists to quantify the contribution of these exposures to poor child health in the UK to inform policy. The aim of this study was to estimate the proportion of child physical, mental, cognitive, and behavioural outcomes that could be prevented if exposure to poverty and family adversity during childhood were eliminated. MethodsWe used nationally representative birth cohort data from the UK Millennium Cohort Study to calculate population attributable fractions. Exposure trajectories were characterised using previously developed group-based multi-trajectory models of childhood adversities up to age 14 years, including low poverty and family adversity, persistent poverty, persistent parental alcohol use, persistent domestic violence and abuse, and persistent poverty and poor parental mental health trajectory; and we assessed the effect of these trajectories on adolescent outcomes using regression models. These models were used to calculate population attributable fractions by contrasting a hypothetical scenario in which all children were in a low poverty and family adversity trajectory with the real-world scenario. FindingsThe identified exposure trajectories contributed substantially to the burden of childhood developmental problems. Compared with the low poverty and family adversity trajectory, the overall percentage of socioemotional behavioural problems at age 14 years attributable to persistent poverty and family adversity trajectories was 54% (95% CI 45–60). A percentage of 36·1% (95% CI 21·8–46·2) was reported for drug experimentation, 32·6% (18·8–40·7) for cognitive disability, and 27·4% (12·9–34·9) for obesity (appendix). InterpretationPoverty and family adversity contribute to a substantial burden of adverse child health and developmental outcomes in the UK population. FundingThe National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Policy Research Programme, NIHR Applied Research Collaboration South London at King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and the UK Medical Research Council.

Child internalizing and externalizing behaviors: Interplay between maternal depressive symptoms and child inhibitory control.

Maternal depression is a risk factor for child internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Aiming to investigate the moderating role of child inhibitory control on this relationship, we invited a sub-sample of dyads from the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort study (MoBa) for a lab-based assessment (N=92, M age=68months, Range=59-80, 50% girls). Maternal depression was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), while child behaviors were measured using the Child Behavior Check List, and inhibitory control using a child friendly version of the Flanker-task. As expected, higher levels of concurrent maternal depressive symptoms predicted higher levels of child internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Importantly, and in line with our predictions, child inhibitory control moderated the association. Lower levels of inhibitory control predicted a stronger association between concurrent maternal depressive symptoms and child behavioral outcomes. The results support prior research suggesting that concurrent maternal depression poses a risk for child development, and highlight that children with lower levels of inhibitory control are more vulnerable to negative environmental influences. These findings contribute to our understanding of the complexity of parental mental health issues on child development and suggest avenues for personalized treatment programs for families and children at risk.

Effects of Community-Based Wraparound Services on Child and Caregiver Outcomes Following Child Protective Service Involvement.

This study investigated whether statewide delivery of the wraparound service model (WSM) improved child and caregiver outcomes and reduced subsequent child protective service (CPS) contact among families referred to services following a CPS report. Caregivers (n = 247) completed baseline and 6-month interviews to document self-reported engagement in WSM and non-WSM conditions and assess changes in outcomes. Kernel-weighted difference-in-difference (K-DID) models were used to assess program effects, based on reported condition. Child behavior outcomes improved among WSM-engaged families, but differences by condition were non-significant except for internalizing behaviors. Caregiver receipt of WSM was associated with greater retention of behavioral health services, but did not produce statistically significant improvements in their wellbeing. Households in the WSM condition were more likely to be reported to CPS at 6-month follow-up, but this difference was not significant at 12months and differences in substantiation were not statistically significant. Supplemental analyses compared alternative means of contrasting group effects, highlighting some differences based on method. The WSM produced few significant differential improvements in child or caregiver outcomes and failed to prevent future CPS involvement. Inadequate program fidelity appeared to be a factor in implementation of the WSM, which may have hampered program effectiveness under real-world conditions.

Intergenerational effects of maternal PTSD: Roles of parenting stress and child sex.

Parental posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) increases children's risk for emotional and behavioral problems. We examined parenting stress and parenting behavior quality as mediators of the relation between maternal PTSD and problematic child behaviors in a sample at high risk for trauma exposure. We also examined whether child sex moderated this association. Participants were 141 African American mother-child dyads (children aged 8-12). Mothers reported PTSD severity, parenting stress, and child behavior (externalizing, internalizing, and emotional self-control). Parenting behavior quality (accounting for factors including parental warmth and engagement) was assessed from an observational parent-child interaction task. Parenting stress, but not observed parenting behavior quality, mediated the relation between maternal PTSD severity and child behaviors. Child sex moderated this association, such that the effect was stronger for girls. Maternal PTSD may be associated with negative child behavior outcomes, and this relation appears to be mediated by increased parenting stress. Stress-reducing interventions for parents with PTSD could improve child outcomes, especially for girls. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Measuring Microtemporal Processes Underlying Preschoolers' Screen Use and Behavioral Health: Protocol for the Tots and Tech Study.

BackgroundExcessive screen time is associated with poor health and behavioral outcomes in children. However, research on screen time use has been hindered by methodological limitations, including retrospective reports of usual screen time and lack of momentary etiologic processes occurring within each day.ObjectiveThis study is designed to assess the feasibility and utility of a comprehensive multibehavior protocol to measure the digital media use and screen time context among a racially and economically diverse sample of preschoolers and their families. This paper describes the recruitment, data collection, and analytical protocols for the Tots and Tech study.MethodsThe Tots and Tech study is a longitudinal, observational study of 100 dyads: caregivers and their preschool-age children (aged 3-5 years). Both caregivers and children will wear an Axivity AX3 accelerometer (Axivity Ltd) for 30 days to assess their physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep. Caregivers will complete ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) for 1 week to measure child behavioral problems, caregiver stress, and child screen time.ResultsThe Tots and Tech study was funded in March 2020. This study maintains rolling recruitment, with each dyad on their own assessment schedule, depending on the time of enrollment. Enrollment was scheduled to take place between September 2020 and May 2022. We aim to enroll 100 caregiver-child dyads. The Tots and Tech outcome paper is expected to be published in 2022.ConclusionsThe Tots and Tech study attempts to overcome previous methodological limitations by using objective measures of screen time, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep behaviors with contextual factors measured by EMA. The results will be used to evaluate the feasibility and utility of a comprehensive multibehavior protocol using objective measures of mobile screen time and accelerometry in conjunction with EMA among caregiver-child dyads. Future observational and intervention studies will be able to use this study protocol to better measure screen time and its context.International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/36240

Associations between Exposure to Prenatal Air Pollution Mixtures and Behavioral Problems in Urban Children

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Previous studies investigating associations between prenatal air pollution and childhood behavior mainly focused on PM2.5, while little is known about the effect of air pollution mixtures and exposure timing throughout pregnancy. We used individual-level daily exposure data and implemented novel weighting approaches to assess effects of prenatal exposure to a mixture of seven air pollutants on behavioral outcomes in children from a Northeastern United States urban pregnancy cohort. METHODS: Participants included 234 full-term singleton children (≥37 weeks gestation). Children completed the Behavior Assessment System for Children 2nd Edition (BASC-2) at age 6.5±0.9 years. Daily exposure levels for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ozone (O₃), and constituents of fine particles [elemental carbon (EC), organic carbon (OC), nitrate (NO₃−), sulfate (SO₄²−), ammonium (NH₄+)] were estimated based on residential addresses using satellite-hybrid models and 3D chemical-transport models. Time-weighted exposure levels of the seven air pollutants in the mixture were estimated using Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression Distributed Lag Models. We subsequently used in multivariable linear regressions including time-weighted exposures for all pollutants in the mixture., adjusted for sex, maternal age, education, and temperature. Effect modification by sex was also examined. RESULTS: Participants were primarily Hispanic (59%) and Black (25%), with ≤12 years of education (68%). Time-weighted O₃ level (per one standard deviation increase) was associated with 4.77% increase in External Problems (95%CI= 0.7%–9%), 4.41% increase in Aggression (95%CI=0.9%–8.1%), 4.36% increase in Internal Problems (95%CI=0.5%–8.3%), and 4.18% increase in Anxiety (95%CI=0.1%–8.4%). When stratified by sex, these associations were only significant in boys. Time-weighted OC level was significantly associated with Internal Problems in girls only (4.6% increase, 95%CI=1.7%–7.7%). CONCLUSIONS: In a prenatal air pollution mixture, ozone is associated with child behavioral problems, and the association is specific to sex and measured outcome scale. KEYWORDS: mixture, air pollution, prenatal, children behavior

Prenatal exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals and the association to behavioural outcomes in children at age seven in the SELMA study

Prenatal exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals and the association to behavioural outcomes in children at age seven in the SELMA study

Is level of implementation linked with intervention outcomes? Process evaluation of the TransformUs intervention to increase children’s physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour

BackgroundTransformUs was a four-arm school-based intervention to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour among primary school children. Pedagogical and environmental strategies targeted the classroom, school grounds and family setting. The aims of this study were to evaluate program fidelity, dose, appropriateness, satisfaction and sustainability, and associations between implementation level and outcomes among the three intervention arms.MethodsAt baseline, 18-months (mid-intervention) and 30-months (post-intervention), teachers, parents and children completed surveys, and children wore GT3X ActiGraph accelerometers for 8 days at each time point to determine physical activity and sedentary time. Implementation data were pooled across the three intervention groups and teachers were categorised by level of implementation: (i) ‘Low’ (< 33% delivered); (ii) ‘Moderate’ (33–67% delivered); and (iii) ‘High’ (> 67% delivered). Linear and logistic mixed models examined between group differences in implementation, and the association with children’s physical activity and sedentary time outcomes. Qualitative survey data were analysed thematically.ResultsAmong intervention recipients, 52% (n = 85) of teachers, 29% (n = 331) of parents and 92% (n = 407) of children completed baseline evaluation surveys. At 18-months, teachers delivered on average 70% of the key messages, 65% set active/standing homework, 30% reported delivering > 1 standing lesson/day, and 56% delivered active breaks per day. The majority of teachers (96%) made activity/sports equipment available during recess and lunch, and also used this equipment in class (81%). Fidelity and dose of key messages and active homework reduced over time, whilst fidelity of standing lessons, active breaks and equipment use increased. TransformUs was deemed appropriate for the school setting and positively received. Implementation level and child behavioural outcomes were not associated. Integration of TransformUs into existing practices, children’s enjoyment, and teachers’ awareness of program benefits all facilitated delivery and sustainability.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that intervention dose and fidelity increased over time, and that children’s enjoyment, senior school leadership and effective integration of interventions into school practices facilitated improved intervention delivery and sustainability. Teacher implementation level and child behavioural outcomes were unrelated, suggesting intervention efficacy was achieved irrespective of implementation variability. The potential translatability of TransformUs into practice contexts may therefore be increased. Findings have informed scale-up of TransformUs across Victoria, Australia.Trial registrationInternational Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number ISRCTN83725066; Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry Number ACTRN12609000715279. Registered 19 August 2009. Available at: https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=308387&isReview=true

Clomifene and Assisted Reproductive Technology in Humans Are Associated with Sex-Specific Offspring Epigenetic Alterations in Imprinted Control Regions.

Children conceived with assisted reproductive technology (ART) have an increased risk of adverse outcomes, including congenital malformations and imprinted gene disorders. In a retrospective North Carolina-based-birth-cohort, we examined the effect of ovulation drugs and ART on CpG methylation in differentially methylated CpGs in known imprint control regions (ICRs). Nine ICRs containing 48 CpGs were assessed for methylation status by pyrosequencing in mixed leukocytes from cord blood. After restricting to non-smoking, college-educated participants who agreed to follow-up, ART-exposed (n = 27), clomifene-only-exposed (n = 22), and non-exposed (n = 516) groups were defined. Associations of clomifene and ART with ICR CpG methylation were assessed with linear regression and stratifying by offspring sex. In males, ART was associated with hypomethylation of the PEG3 ICR [β(95% CI) = −1.46 (−2.81, −0.12)] and hypermethylation of the MEG3 ICR [3.71 (0.01, 7.40)]; clomifene-only was associated with hypomethylation of the NNAT ICR [−5.25 (−10.12, −0.38)]. In female offspring, ART was associated with hypomethylation of the IGF2 ICR [−3.67 (−6.79, −0.55)]. Aberrant methylation of these ICRs has been associated with cardiovascular disease and metabolic and behavioral outcomes in children. The results suggest that the increased risk of adverse outcomes in offspring conceived through ART may be due in part to altered methylation of ICRs. Larger studies utilizing epigenome-wide interrogation are warranted.

Specific parenting behaviors link maternal education to toddlers' language and social competence.

Maternal sensitive parenting behavior has been shown to account, at least partially, for the relation between family background and children's language and behavioral outcomes. Yet, as previous studies often used a rather global or domain-general measure of maternal sensitivity, it remains an open question whether different domains of child development are influenced by the different facets of maternal sensitivity. Thus, this study investigated whether specific parenting behaviors differentially mediated the association between maternal education and children's language and social competence. Drawing on 2,478 mother-child dyads from the German National Educational Panel Study, we distinguished mothers' sensitive parenting behavior as cognitive-verbally stimulating and socioemotionally supportive parenting behaviors. These two observed specific parenting behaviors at 26 months were modeled as separate pathways linking maternal education and children's language outcomes at 26 months as well as children's social competence at 38 months. All analyses controlled for family net income, single parenthood, migration background, mother's depressive feelings, and child's negative affectivity. The results indicated that the mother's cognitive-verbally stimulating parenting behavior was specifically related to the children's language skills, whereas mother's socioemotionally supportive parenting behavior specifically predicted children's later social competence. Furthermore, these two separable parenting behaviors differentially mediated the association between maternal education and toddler's language and social competence. Most notably, children's language additionally mediated the relation between maternal education and children's social competence. The findings suggest that domain-specific intervention programs have the potential to promote early language and social development efficiently. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Pathways from parent mental health to child outcomes in Liberia: Testing cross-sectional and longitudinal serial mediation models

Children in humanitarian settings face complex adversities that impact development. The interplay of caregiver mental health, couples' relationship quality, and parenting practices can both protect against adversity and contribute to it. The purpose of the study was to examine whether caregiver depressive symptoms are associated with increased couples' distress, in turn predicting fewer positive parent-child interactions and then worse child emotional and behavioral outcomes. This study took place in four urban settlements in Monrovia, Liberia. Participants (N ​= 569) included parents or caregivers of children three- or four-years-old. Using structural equation modeling, the serial mediation pathway from depressive symptoms to child outcomes through couples' distress and reduced positive parent-child interactions was tested cross-sectionally and longitudinally across three time points. In the cross-sectional model, two statistically significant, but very small, indirect effects were found: 1) a serial mediation from parent depressive symptoms to child problems through increased couples' distress and reduced positive parent-child interactions and 2) a specific mediation effect through couples’ distress. The longitudinal model yielded null direct and indirect effects. These mixed results suggest that, while these processes may be related, the specific pathways linking these family indicators are not well understood, especially over time and in humanitarian settings.

Short report of an Iranian Prenatal Methamphetamine Exposure effect cohort showed DNA methylation alteration of mitochondria function associated genes

BackgroundUse of Methamphetamine during pregnancy is significant public health concern since it affects the development of the brain and poor behavioral outcomes in children. Prenatal methamphetamine exposure (PME) may cause developmental disabilities and several gene expression and molecular pathways alterations. In the present study, DNA methylation of Propionyl-CoA Carboxylase subunit Beta (PCCB) and Protocadherin Alpha 12 (PCDHA12) genes were assessed in two groups of three-year-old children, those exposed to PME and healthy control children. AimsClarification of PME role in methylation level of two mitochondria function associated genes; PCCB and PCDHA12. Methods and proceduresIn this study, 2629 children with PME (1531male, 1098 female) and 3523(2077male, 1446 female) control children were recruited based on maternal self-report of prenatal exposure. Genomic DNA extracted from peripheral blood and pyrosequencing was used to determine the association between prenatal MA exposure and methylation in nine CpG sites of PCCB and PCDHA12 genes. Outcomes and resultsPrenatal methamphetamine exposure was associated with significant DNA hypomethylation of four out of five CpG sites in the PCCB gene and three out of four CpG sites in the PCDHA12 gene. Also, significant hypomethylation in the biding site of p53 transcription factor in PCCB gene was detected in children with PME. Conclusions and implicationsPrenatal methamphetamine exposure is related to epigenetic alterations in PCCB and PCDHA12, as important mitochondria function associated genes. Detected hypomethylation in these genes was reported in neurodevelopmental and bioenergetics disabilities. It seems that PME could cause mitochondrial dysfunctions associated with developmental abnormalities.What this paper adds?•Prenatal methamphetamine exposure affects developmental issues in newborns, especially in bioenergetic pathways that in turn may cause neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative problems.•This is the first cohort study on prenatal methamphetamine exposure's role in DNA Methylation of mitochondria functions associated with genes.

Early childhood income instability, food insecurity, and adolescents' behavioral health

AbstractObjectiveThis research examines the associations of early childhood income instability with subsequent behavioral outcomes in adolescence, paying attention to the mediating role of food insecurity.BackgroundExisting research has documented the rise in income instability in recent decades. Yet, few studies have addressed how income instability during early childhood may shape subsequent behavioral health outcomes in adolescence, beyond the effect of income levels. Furthermore, the mechanism underlying the longitudinal link remains unexplored.MethodStructural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted with the Fragile Families and Child Well‐being Study, a longitudinal data set following families with children in 20 large cities in the United States (N = 3,422).ResultsIndependent from average income levels, both incidence and frequency of negative income changes were significantly indirectly associated with higher levels of internalizing and externalizing behaviors in adolescence. Food insecurity operated as a mediator of the association.ConclusionThe results suggest cumulative associations between income instability and children's behavioral outcomes and the substantial role of food insecurity in linking the two.ImplicationsPolicies and programs need to promote economic stability during early childhood and to ensure food security in nurturing children's short‐ and long‐term well‐being.

Environmental Influences on the Behavioural and Emotional Outcomes of Children: A Network Analysis.

Background: Intellectual developmental disorders are a serious source of health morbidity with negative consequences for adults as well as children. However, there is limited evidence on the environmental, trace element, behavioural, and emotional outcomes in children. Here, we investigated whether there is any association between child behaviour and emotional outcomes and micronutrients using network analysis. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 9-year-old children within a Pacific Island Families study birth cohort. Elemental concentration was determined in children’s toenails after acid digestion and analysed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. We used network analysis to identify closely associated trace elements and tested the directions and strength of these trace elements. MANCOVA were used to identify the significant associations between individual elements and the behavioural/emotional function of the children using the children behaviour checklist (CBCL). At the final step, quantile regression analysis was used to assess and quantify the identified associations between CBCL function scores and manganese, adjusted by sex, ethnicity, and standardized BMI. Results: Three major nutrient networks were identified. In the Mn network, Mn was strongly positively associated with Al (0.63) and Fe (r = 0.65) and moderately associated with Pb (r = 0.45) and Sb (r = 0.42). Al was also strongly associated with Fe (r = 0.9). Children in the second or third clinical group, with an elevated externalized CBCL score, had a much higher mean and median level of Mn as compared to the normal range group. The aggression score was significantly associated with Mn concentration and sex. Higher Mn concentrations were associated with a higher aggression score. A 1 ug/g unit increase in Mn was associated with a 2.44-fold increase (95% confidence interval: 1.55–4.21) in aggression score, and boys had higher median aggression score than girls (difference: 1.7, 95% CI: 0.9–2.8). Attention and rule breaking scores were both significantly associated with Mn concentration. Higher Mn concentrations were associated with higher attention behaviour problem and rule breaking scores. A 1 ug/g unit increase in Mn was found to be associated with a 1.80-fold increase (95% confidence interval: 1.37–2.82) in attention score, and a 1.46-fold increase (95% confidence interval: 1.01–1.74) in the rule breaking score. Thought score was not significantly associated with Mn concentration (p = 0.13) but was significantly lower in boys (p = 0.004). Conclusions: Exceeding Mn levels is potentially toxic and has been identified to be associated with worse externalized children’s behavioural health and emotional well-being. Future studies are necessary to find the exposure paths so that advice shall be provided to family and care providers in public health and environmental protection.