Exposure to War Prior to Conception: Maternal Emotional Distress Forecasts Sex-Specific Child Behavior Problems

Roseriet Beijers, Anat Scher, Hanit Ohana, Ayala Maayan-Metzger and Micah Leshem
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Roseriet Beijers: Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, 6525 XZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Anat Scher: Department of Counseling and Human Development, The University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
Hanit Ohana: Department of Counseling and Human Development, The University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
Ayala Maayan-Metzger: Neonatal Department, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel
Micah Leshem: School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 7, 1-12

Abstract: Objectives: Exposure to maternal stress during the prenatal period adversely affects child outcomes. Recent investigations have shifted to an even earlier period, the preconception period, to better understand the role of this formative period in human health and disease. We investigated the links between maternal emotional distress following preconception exposure to war, and child outcomes at age 10. Material and Methods: Before becoming pregnant, mothers were exposed to missile bombardment on the north of Israel in the 2006 war. Mothers who conceived within 12 months after the war were recruited and compared to mothers who conceived during the same period but lived in Israel but outside missile range. During the initial assessment, mothers completed a questionnaire on emotional distress. At 10 years of age, mothers and children ( N = 68) reported on child socio-emotional outcomes. Results: Multiple regression analyses revealed that, in girls, higher maternal emotional distress following preconception war exposure predicted more internalizing and externalizing behavior problems, and more behavior regulation problems. In boys, maternal emotional distress was not significantly related to outcomes. Conclusion: Maternal emotional distress following preconception exposure to war forecasts sex-specific child behavioral problems as reported by the mother and the child. Though the results warrant cautious interpretation because of the relatively small sample size and differential attrition, our findings add to the small but growing body of research on the consequences of maternal stress exposure prior to conception for the next generation.

Keywords: preconception stress; war; behavior problems; executive functioning; child development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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