The role of prenatal maternal stress in the development of childhood anxiety symptomatology: The QF2011 Queensland Flood Study

M A McLean; V E Cobham; Gabrielle Simcock; G Elgbeili; S Kildea; S King

doi:10.1017/S0954579418000408

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The role of prenatal maternal stress in the development of childhood anxiety symptomatology: The QF2011 Queensland Flood Study

Journal article

Peer reviewed

The role of prenatal maternal stress in the development of childhood anxiety symptomatology: The QF2011 Queensland Flood Study

M A McLean, V E Cobham, Gabrielle Simcock, G Elgbeili, S Kildea and S King

Development and Psychopathology, Vol.30(3), pp.995-1007

2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579418000408

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Abstract

It is possible that findings suggesting a link between prenatal maternal stress (PNMS) and anxiety symptoms in offspring are confounded by postnatal and/or shared mother-child heritability effects. Following exposure to a natural disaster, the Queensland Flood Study investigated the unique and additive effects of various types of disaster-related PNMS (objective hardship, cognitive appraisal, and subjective distress) on childhood anxiety symptomatology (internalizing and/or anxiety symptom measures). Timing of flood exposure during pregnancy and child sex were examined as potential moderators. After controlling for maternal psychosocial factors, greater objective hardship as a result of the floods was significantly associated with greater anxiety symptoms (N = 114) and marginally associated with greater internalizing behaviors (N = 115). Earlier timing of the flood in pregnancy was associated with greater anxiety symptoms. No such associations were found between any PNMS measure and teacher-rated child internalizing behaviors (N = 90). Sex and timing did not moderate associations. Our findings suggest that, in isolation, increased maternal hardship due to exposure to an independent stressor, during pregnancy, may have a programming effect on childhood anxiety symptoms.

Details

Title: The role of prenatal maternal stress in the development of childhood anxiety symptomatology: The QF2011 Queensland Flood Study
Authors: M A McLean (Author) - University of Queensland
V E Cobham (Author) - University of Queensland
Gabrielle Simcock (Author) - University of Queensland
G Elgbeili (Author) - Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Canada
S Kildea (Author) - University of Queensland
S King (Corresponding Author) - McGill University, Canada
Publication details: Development and Psychopathology, Vol.30(3), pp.995-1007
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date published: 2018
DOI: 10.1017/S0954579418000408
ISSN: 0954-5794
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Thompson Institute
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99451118402621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Psychology, Developmental

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