Preschoolers' genetic, physiological, and behavioral sensitivity factors moderate links between parenting stress and child internalizing, externalizing, and sleep problems

Abstract

This study examined three potential moderators of the relations between maternal parenting stress and preschoolers' adjustment problems: a genetic polymorphism-the short allele of the serotonin transporter (5-HTTLPR, ss/sl allele) gene, a physiological indicator-children's baseline respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), and a behavioral indicator-mothers' reports of children's negative emotionality. A total of 108 mothers (Mage = 30.68 years, SDage = 6.06) reported on their parenting stress as well as their preschoolers' (Mage = 3.50 years, SDage = 0.51, 61% boys) negative emotionality and internalizing, externalizing, and sleep problems. Results indicated that the genetic sensitivity variable functioned according to a differential susceptibility model; however, the results involving physiological and behavioral sensitivity factors were most consistent with a diathesis-stress framework. Implications for prevention and intervention efforts to counter the effects of parenting stress are discussed.

Keywords: 5-HTTLPR; child adjustment; negative emotionality; parenting stress; respiratory sinus arrhythmia.

© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Figures

Figure 1

Maternal parenting stress was positively associated with child sleep (Panel A) and internalizing (Panel B) problems when children were high in genetic sensitivity. For children with high levels of physiological sensitivity, maternal parenting stress was positively associated with child sleep (Panel C) and internalizing (Panel D) problems. The positive relation between parenting stress and child internalizing problems was also significant for children with low levels of physiological sensitivity.

Figure 2

Maternal parenting stress was positively associated with child internalizing (Panel A) and externalizing (Panel B) problems, only when children were high in behavioral sensitivity.