J Affect Disord. 2025 Nov 29:120789. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2025.120789. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Maternal adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are risk factors for increased mental health difficulties. However, intergenerational transmission mechanisms between maternal ACEs and adolescent behavioral difficulties are poorly understood. This study examined the mediating effects of maternal controlling parenting and youth-perceived mother-child attachment on the association between maternal ACEs and adolescent internalizing and externalizing behaviors.
METHODS: Data were from the nationally representative Growing Up in Scotland birth cohort 1. Analyses focused on 2943 adolescents aged 14-15 at sweep 10 but utilized information from the entire cohort (N = 5719) to minimize parameter bias. Linear regression analyses were used to examine the strength of predictors (maternal ACEs, maternal controlling parenting, youth-perceived mother-child attachment) on adolescent behavioral difficulties levels. Mediating effects of maternal controlling parenting and youth-perceived mother-child attachment were assessed using serial mediation models.
RESULTS: Regression analysis indicated maternal ACEs were associated with adolescent behavioral difficulties. Serial mediation models indicated a consistent indirect effect of maternal ACEs on adolescent internalizing and externalizing behaviors, through maternal controlling parenting and youth-perceived mother-child attachment.
CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that both maternal controlling parenting and youth-perceived mother-child attachment are mechanisms mediating the effect of maternal ACEs on adolescent internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Understanding the interactive impact of both maternal and child factors may improve policy and programming to ameliorate intergenerational consequences of maternal ACEs on youth mental health.
PMID:41325809 | DOI:10.1016/j.jad.2025.120789
