The longitudinal association between potential stressful life events and the risk of psychosocial problems in 3-year-old children

Bibliographic Data

ID22077352
AuthorsAmy van Grieken (0000-0001-6767-9159, Erasmus MC, corresponding author), Jie Luo (0000-0002-0484-4441, Erasmus MC), Esther M B Horrevorts (Erasmus MC), Cathelijne L Mieloo (The Hague University of Applied Sciences), Ingrid Kruizinga (Erasmus MC), Rienke Bannink, Hein Raat (0000-0002-6000-7445, Erasmus MC)
Year2023
Volume11
Pages1100261-1100261
Publication date2023-03-21
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2023.1100261
PMID37026130
OpenAlexW4328113521
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited33

Background Experiencing certain potentially stressful life events can impact psychosocial well-being among school-aged children and adolescents. This study aims to evaluate the association between life events occurring before age 2 and risk of psychosocial problems at 3 years of age. Methods All parents invited for the regular well-child visit when their child was 2 years of age by the preventive Youth Health Care in the Rotterdam-Rijnmond area, the Netherlands, were invited to participate in this study. In total 2,305 parents completed the baseline questionnaire at child age 2-years; 1,540 parents completed the questionnaire at child age 3-years. The baseline questionnaire included a life events assessment (12 items), and tension caused by the event (range 0–3). At child age 3-years the questionnaire included the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) to assess risk of psychosocial problems. Logistic regression models were applied. Results In the current study 48.5% of families experienced ≥1 life event before child age 2 years. Divorce and problems in the relationship between the parents received the highest perceived severity score [respectively 2.1 ( SD = 0.8) and 2.0 ( SD = 0.7)]. Children experiencing ≥1 event before the age of 2 years were at higher risk of psychosocial problems at 3 years of age, compared to children that had experienced no life event (1–2 events OR = 1.50, 95%CI: 1.09; 2.06, and >2 events OR = 2.55, 95%CI 1.64; 4.00, respectively). When life events caused high perceived levels of tension, there was also an association with an increased risk of psychosocial problems at age 3-years ( OR = 2.03, 95%CI 1.43; 2.88). Conclusions Approximately half of children in our study experienced a potential stressful life event before the age of 2 years. Results suggest an association between experiencing a life event and risk of psychosocial problems at child age 3-years. These findings emphasize the need for child health care professionals to pay attention to life events taking place in the life of young children in order to provide appropriate support

Logistic regression · Mental health · Psychiatry · Psychosocial · Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life · Clinical Psychology · Demography · Medicine · Psychology · Stress Responses and Cortisol · Gerontology · Pediatrics

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