Associations Between Maternal Caregiving and Child Indicators of Toxic Stress Among Multiethnic, Urban Families.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Our purpose was to examine associations between maternal caregiving and child indicators of toxic stress among multiethnic, urban families with children of early school age.

Method

We conducted an exploratory cross-sectional analysis of 54 maternal-child dyads. Mothers reported on parenting behaviors and parental reflective functioning (PRF). Child indicators of toxic stress included hair/salivary biomarkers, anthropometric characteristics, and maternally reported health and behavior.

Results

Hostile/coercive parenting behaviors were associated with child externalizing behavioral problems (r = 0.43, p = .001, but lower interleukin (IL) 6 levels (r = 0.31, p = .03). High PRF was associated with fewer child emergency department visits (ρ = -0.43, p = .009),

SUBMITTER: Condon EM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6589109 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul - Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature