Abstract
Little is known about the mechanisms of action that link perinatal risk and the development of aggressive behavior. The aim of this study was to examine whether perinatal risk and parenting interacted to specifically predict reactive aggression, as opposed to general aggressive behavior, and to examine cortisol reactivity as a mediator of this developmental risk process. In a community sample of 99 elementary school-aged children, prenatal risk was measured by a count of minor physical anomalies (MPAs), reactive aggression was measured by laboratory observations of aggression in response to provocation, and general aggression was measured by parent report. Cortisol reactivity was not found to mediate the association between MPAs and reactive aggression or general aggression. However, MPAs were found to interact with parenting behaviors to predict reactive aggression and general aggression, as well as cortisol reactivity. Specifically, as the deficits in parenting increased, MPAs became more strongly and positively associated with reactive aggressive and general aggressive outcomes. Similarly, in cases of poor parenting behaviors, MPAs were positively associated with higher cortisol reactivity. Implications for theory and prevention are discussed.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1211-1222 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology |
| Volume | 40 |
| Issue number | 8 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Nov 2012 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- Biosocial
- Childhood
- Cortisol
- Perinatal risk factors
- Reactive aggression
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
- Psychiatry and Mental health
Cite this
Perinatal factors, parenting behavior, and reactive aggression : Does cortisol reactivity mediate this developmental risk process? / Ryan, Stacy R.; Schechter, Julia C.; Brennan, Patricia A.
In: Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, Vol. 40, No. 8, 11.2012, p. 1211-1222.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Perinatal factors, parenting behavior, and reactive aggression
T2 - Does cortisol reactivity mediate this developmental risk process?
AU - Ryan, Stacy R.
AU - Schechter, Julia C.
AU - Brennan, Patricia A.
PY - 2012/11
Y1 - 2012/11
N2 - Little is known about the mechanisms of action that link perinatal risk and the development of aggressive behavior. The aim of this study was to examine whether perinatal risk and parenting interacted to specifically predict reactive aggression, as opposed to general aggressive behavior, and to examine cortisol reactivity as a mediator of this developmental risk process. In a community sample of 99 elementary school-aged children, prenatal risk was measured by a count of minor physical anomalies (MPAs), reactive aggression was measured by laboratory observations of aggression in response to provocation, and general aggression was measured by parent report. Cortisol reactivity was not found to mediate the association between MPAs and reactive aggression or general aggression. However, MPAs were found to interact with parenting behaviors to predict reactive aggression and general aggression, as well as cortisol reactivity. Specifically, as the deficits in parenting increased, MPAs became more strongly and positively associated with reactive aggressive and general aggressive outcomes. Similarly, in cases of poor parenting behaviors, MPAs were positively associated with higher cortisol reactivity. Implications for theory and prevention are discussed.
AB - Little is known about the mechanisms of action that link perinatal risk and the development of aggressive behavior. The aim of this study was to examine whether perinatal risk and parenting interacted to specifically predict reactive aggression, as opposed to general aggressive behavior, and to examine cortisol reactivity as a mediator of this developmental risk process. In a community sample of 99 elementary school-aged children, prenatal risk was measured by a count of minor physical anomalies (MPAs), reactive aggression was measured by laboratory observations of aggression in response to provocation, and general aggression was measured by parent report. Cortisol reactivity was not found to mediate the association between MPAs and reactive aggression or general aggression. However, MPAs were found to interact with parenting behaviors to predict reactive aggression and general aggression, as well as cortisol reactivity. Specifically, as the deficits in parenting increased, MPAs became more strongly and positively associated with reactive aggressive and general aggressive outcomes. Similarly, in cases of poor parenting behaviors, MPAs were positively associated with higher cortisol reactivity. Implications for theory and prevention are discussed.
KW - Biosocial
KW - Childhood
KW - Cortisol
KW - Perinatal risk factors
KW - Reactive aggression
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84867885786&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10802-012-9649-0
DO - 10.1007/s10802-012-9649-0
M3 - Article
C2 - 22644427
AN - SCOPUS:84867885786
VL - 40
SP - 1211
EP - 1222
JO - Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
JF - Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
SN - 0091-0627
IS - 8
ER -