Intervention Implications: The Links among Early Risk for Abuse, Children’s Regulation, and Behavioral Problems

Abstract

The current project explored how toddlers’ ability to regulate themselves may be the link between prenatal maternal risk of child abuse and behavior problems at three years. A sample of 285 mothers and their first-born children were followed from pregnancy through the child’s third year. Results showed that pregnant mothers who had a greater potential for abusing their children had toddlers who were less able to regulate themselves (e.g., disrupted sleeping and eating patterns, stronger reactions to noises). This inability to regulate themselves predicted their behavioral problems at age 3 years (e.g., aggression, depression). Screening for prenatal child abuse potential and providing intervention supports offers an important opportunity to prevent child maltreatment and its developmental repercussions. For toddlers already experiencing regulatory difficulties, self-regulation appears to be another key target to halt the progression of behavioral problems often found in maltreated children.