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Developmental mechanisms linking deprivation and threat to psychopathology and school outcomes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 October 2024

Nicolas Murgueitio Open the ORCID record for Nicolas Murgueitio [Opens in a new window] ,
Margaret A. Sheridan Open the ORCID record for Margaret A. Sheridan [Opens in a new window] ,
Daniel J. Bauer  and
Cathi B. Propper
Nicolas Murgueitio*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
Margaret A. Sheridan
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
Daniel J. Bauer
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
Cathi B. Propper
Affiliation:
School of Nursing, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
*
Corresponding author: Nicolas Murgueitio; Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Background:

Decades of evidence have elucidated associations between early adversity and risk for negative outcomes. However, traditional conceptualizations of the biologic embedding of adversity ignore neuroscientific principles which emphasize developmental plasticity. Dimensional models suggest that separate dimensions of experiences shape behavioral development differentially. We hypothesized that deprivation would be associated with higher psychopathology and lower academic achievement through executive function and effortful control, while threat would do so through observed, and parent reported emotional reactivity.

Methods:

In this longitudinal study of 206 mother–child dyads, we test these theories across the first 7 years of life. Threat was measured by the presence of domestic violence, and deprivation by the lack of cognitive stimulation within the parent–child interaction. We used path analyses to test associations between deprivation and threat with psychopathology and school outcomes through cognition and emotional reactivity.

Results:

We show that children who experienced more deprivation showed poor academic achievement through difficulties with executive function, while children who experienced more threat had higher levels of psychopathology through increased emotional reactivity.

Conclusion:

These observations are consistent with work in adolescence and reflect how unique adverse experiences have differential effects on children’s behavior and subsequently long-term outcomes.

Keywords

Achievementdeprivationthreatpsychopathology
Type
Regular Article
Information
Development and Psychopathology , First View , pp. 1 - 12
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© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press

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