Prenatal stress and externalizing behaviors in childhood and adolescence: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Irene Tung, Alison E. Hipwell, Philip J. Grosse, Lindsey Battaglia, Elena Cannova, Gabrielle English, Allysa Quick, Bianca Llamas, Megan Taylor, Jill Foust
Abstract
= .159), implicating a unique effect of psychological distress during the prenatal period in the etiology of externalizing behaviors. Moderation tests showed that prenatal effects did not vary based on type and timing of psychological distress during pregnancy. Greater instability of distress from prenatal to postnatal periods predicted larger effects. Prenatal effects were comparable across most externalizing outcomes, consistent with the common comorbidity of externalizing spectrum disorders, although effects appeared smaller for nonaggressive rule-breaking (vs. aggressive) behaviors. Significant associations persisted across all developmental periods, appearing slightly larger in early childhood. We discuss these results in the context of developmental and psychobiological theories of externalizing behavior, offer preliminary clinical and public health implications, and highlight directions for future research including the need for longitudinal studies with more racially and socioeconomically diverse families. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).