title: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.
authors.forename: Molly
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-5959-3558
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Kristel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Thomassin
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.
authors.forename: Joanie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bilms
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Suveg
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shaffer
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.
authors.forename: Steven R H
authors.initials: SRH
authors.lastname: Beach
mesh_terms: D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016487:Parenting; D065809:Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
keywords: 5-HTTLPR; child adjustment; negative emotionality; parenting stress; respiratory sinus arrhythmia