Maternal adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with difficulties in parent- child relationships, however, research to date has focused on cross-sectional associations. Parent and child behavior may be differently affected by ACEs as a child develops and caregiving demands change. Furthermore, poorer executive function (EF) is associated with both ACEs and problematic parenting processes, and may be one potential mechanism involved in the intergenerational transmission of ACEs. This study examined longitudinal associations between maternal ACEs, maternal EF, and patterns of change in maternal and child emotional availability (EA) using longitudinal multilevel modelling (MLM). Mother-child dyads (N = 114) were followed at five separate assessments over a 5-year period. Maternal ACEs were measured retrospectively at 3-months postpartum, maternal EF was assessed at 8-months, and mother-child interactions were videotaped at 18-, 36- and 60-months postpartum. Results revealed that maternal EA was stable, while child EA increased from 18- to 60-months postpartum. Maternal ACEs were negatively associated with maternal and child EA at 18-months postpartum and this effect decreased overtime. In contrast, there was a persistent, positive effect of maternal EF on EA trajectories. Maternal EF did not mediate the association between ACEs and EA. Findings also demonstrated significant within-dyad associations between maternal and child EA. These findings lead to a deeper understanding of the effects of maternal influences on parent-child relationships. We provide important evidence regarding the intergenerational transmission of ACEs, demonstrating that effects of maternal ACEs on parenting are not necessarily persistent. Findings also support sustained relations between maternal EF and maternal and child behavior across development, suggesting the utility of EF as an intervention target. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), which are experiences of abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction, are risk factors for difficulties in parent-child relationships when individuals become parents themselves. In addition, ACEs are associated with deficits in higher-order cognitive abilities called executive functions (EF) in adulthood, which may also, in turn, compromise an individual’s ability to provide sensitive and nurturing care to their children. The following thesis explores the collective relationships between maternal ACEs, maternal EF, and emotional availability during parent-child interactions in a community sample of mothers and their children, followed from toddlerhood (18-months postpartum) to preschool (60-months postpartum). Findings from this study demonstrate unique trajectories of maternal and child emotional availability during this period in development. Higher maternal ACEs were associated with decreased emotional availability during parent-child interactions at 18-months postpartum and this effect decreased overtime. Mothers with higher EF, and their children, demonstrated increased emotional availability across development. Maternal ACEs was not associated with maternal EF. Findings are relevant in informing the development and adaptation of timely and preventative parenting interventions.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:mcmaster.ca/oai:macsphere.mcmaster.ca:11375/25477 |
| Date | January 2020 |
| Creators | Harris, Madeleine |
| Contributors | Gonzalez, Andrea, Health Sciences |
| Source Sets | McMaster University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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