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Adolescent Internalizing, Externalizing, and Social Problems Following Iron Deficiency at 12–18 Months: The Role of Maternal Responsiveness

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: This study tested whether maternal responsiveness moderated or mediated pathways from iron deficiency (ID) at 12-18 months to adolescent behavior problems. Participants were part of a large Chilean cohort (N = 933). Iron status was assessed at 12 and 18 months. Maternal responsiveness was assessed at 9 months and 5 years. Parents reported their child's symptomology at 5 years, 10 years, and adolescence (11-17 years; M = 14.4). Structural equation modeling identified a previously unrecognized pathway by which child externalizing problems and negative maternal responsiveness at 5 years mediated associations between ID at 12-18 months and adolescent internalizing, externalizing, and social problems. Positive maternal responsiveness in infancy did not buffer those with ID anemia from developing 5-year internalizing problems.

Source: Child Development

DOI: 10.1111/cdev.13266

Authors: Jenalee R Doom, Sheila Gahagan, Patricia L East, Pamela Encina, Jorge Delva, Betsy Lozoff

Institutions: University of Michigan, University of California San Diego, University of Chile, Boston University

Language: English

Topic: Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development