A developmental cascade from prenatal stress to child internalizing and Externalizing problems
Open accessAbstract
Objective: This study utilized a developmental cascade approach to test alternative theories about the underlying mechanisms behind the association of maternal prenatal stress and child psychopathology. The fetal programming hypothesis suggests that prenatal stress affects fetal structural and physiological systems responsible for individual differences in child temperament, which further increases risk for internalizing and externalizing problems. Interpersonal models of stress transmission suggest that maternal stress influences child mental health via early parenting behaviors. We also examined a continuation of stress hypothesis, in which prenatal stress predicts child mental health via the continuation of maternal stress in the postpartum period. Methods: Participants were 1,992 mother–child pairs drawn from a prospective pregnancy cohort. Mothers reported on their perceived stress, anxiety, and depression during pregnancy and at 4-month postpartum. Birthweight was assessed via medical records of birthweight. At 4-month postpartum, hostile-reactive parenting behaviors were assessed. Child temperamental negative affect was measured at age 3. Child internalizing and externalizing problems were assessed at age 5. Results: Prenatal stress was associated with both internalizing and externalizing problems via postnatal stress and child temperament. Prenatal stress was also associated with externalizing behaviors via increased hostile-reactive parenting. After accounting for postnatal factors, prenatal stress continued to have a direct effect on child internalizing, but not externalizing, symptoms. Conclusion: Results provide support for the fetal programming, interpersonal stress transmission, and continuation of stress models. Findings highlight the need for prenatal preventative programs that continue into the early postnatal period, targeting maternal stress and parenting behaviors.
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Children of mothers with antepartum depression more often show cognitive, emotional and behavioural problems in childhood, adolescence and adulthood.
“Additionally, children of mothers with antepartum depression show more often cognitive, emotional and behavioural problems in childhood, adolescence and adulthood11 12”
From Effects of bright light therapy for depression during pregnancy: a randomised, double-blind controlled trial (2020) · cites this paper as [12]
The Introduction (p. 1) links prenatal maternal depression, alongside stress and anxiety, to increased risk of ADHD, depression, and behavior problems. The study assesses child internalizing and externalizing problems at age five (Abstract, p. 1); it does not establish the claimed range of cognitive, emotional, and behavioural problems across childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. (LLM, conf=0.88)
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Hentges, R. F., Graham, S. A., Plamondon, A., Tough, S., & Madigan, S.
- Affiliations
- University of Calgary (CA)
- University of Toronto (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Hentges, Rochelle F
- Venue
- Journal of Pediatric Psychology
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2019-06-05
- Volume
- 44
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 1057-1067
- ISSN
- 0146-8693 (ISSN-L)
- 1465-735X
- OpenAlex
- W2948296560
- Cited by
- 94
- References
- 53
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 1
- FWCI
- 9.67
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Pediatric Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Libraries and Cultural Resources (University of Calgary) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Libraries and Cultural Resources (University of Calgary) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Funders
- Alberta Innovates Interdisciplinary Team (200700595)
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation
- Max Bell Foundation
- Talisman Energy Fund
- Healthy Living and Injury Prevention
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute
- Owerko Centre
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Birth, Development, and Health
- Keywords
- prenatal stress, maternal stress, child internalizing problems, child externalizing problems, fetal programming, child temperament, negative affect, birth weight, developmental cascades
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Anxiety, Child Behavior Disorders, Child, Preschool, Depression, Female, Humans, Male, Mothers, Pregnancy, Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects, Prospective Studies, Temperament, Postpartum Period
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