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Physiological and Behavioral Vulnerability Markers Increase Risk to Early Life Stress in Preschool-Aged Children

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Abstract

The study examined whether child physiological (cortisol reactivity) and behavioral (negative emotionality) risk factors moderate associations between the early rearing environment, as measured by child exposure to maternal depression and stressful life events, and preschool psychopathology and psychosocial functioning. A sample of 156 preschool-aged children (77 boys, 79 girls; age M = 49.80 months, SD = 9.57, range: 36–71) participated in an observational assessment of temperament and was exposed to a stress-inducing laboratory task, during which we obtained five salivary cortisol samples. Parents completed clinical interviews to assess child and parent psychopathology and stressful life events. Results indicated that the combination of a blunted pattern of cortisol reactivity and recent stressful life events was associated with higher levels of preschoolers’ externalizing symptoms and lower psychosocial functioning. In addition, greater life stress was associated with higher levels of preschoolers’ internalizing symptoms. Lastly, children with high levels of negative emotionality and who were exposed to maternal depression had the lowest social competence. Our findings highlight the critical role of the early environment, particularly for children with identified risk factors, and add to our understanding of pathways involved in early emerging psychopathology and impairment.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the University of Maryland (UMD) College of Behavioral and Social Sciences Dean’s Research Initiative Award (LRD) and the UMD Research and Scholars Award (LRD). We are indebted to the families and staff who made this study possible. We are especially grateful to Caitlin Condit for all her efforts in recruiting families and running participants.

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Authors report no conflicts of interest.

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  1. Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA

    Marissa R. Kushner, Chesley Barrios, Victoria C. Smith & Lea R. Dougherty

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  1. Marissa R. Kushner
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  2. Chesley Barrios
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  3. Victoria C. Smith
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  4. Lea R. Dougherty
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Correspondence to Lea R. Dougherty.

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Kushner, M.R., Barrios, C., Smith, V.C. et al. Physiological and Behavioral Vulnerability Markers Increase Risk to Early Life Stress in Preschool-Aged Children. J Abnorm Child Psychol 44, 859–870 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-015-0087-7

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