Psychiatry Investig.  2021 Nov;18(11):1050-1057. 10.30773/pi.2021.0343.

The Impact of Maternal Adverse Childhood Experiences on Offspring’s Internalizing and Externalizing Problems

• Kang NR
• Kwack YS
• Song JK
• Kim MD
• Park JH
• Kim BN
• Moon DS

• KMID: 2522485
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2021.0343

Abstract

Objective
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with negative physical and mental health outcomes across the lifespan, but research on intergenerational transmission of maternal ACEs and its impact on the offspring’s mental health problems are limited. The study examines the effects of maternal ACEs on the risk of internalizing or externalizing problems among offspring.
Methods
There were 450 mother-child dyads. Mothers completed the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire. The child outcomes included internalizing and externalizing problems assessed by the Korean Child Behavior Checklist (K-CBCL) and Korean Youth Self-Report (K-YSR), depression assessed by the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC) and anxiety assessed by the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED).
Results
36.1% of mothers experienced at least one ACE, and 11.1% experienced three or more ACEs. Cumulative maternal ACEs were associated with internalizing problems, externalizing problems, depression and anxiety in the offspring. Household dysfunction from maternal ACEs was significantly associated with delinquent behavior, anxiety/depression, and somatic complaints in the offspring.
Conclusion
The findings support the hypothesis that maternal ACEs are related to mental health problems in the offspring. Further research is needed to determine the factors mediating intergenerational transmission as well as intervention strategies to prevent ACEs and mental health problems in the offspring.

Keyword

Intergeneration transmission; Adverse childhood experiences; Internalizing problem; Externalizing problem