Work

Parental adverse childhood experiences, parenting styles, and stress: a comparison of child psychopathology diagnostic groups

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with long-term impairments in physical and mental health and may influence the development of the next generation. Although parental ACEs have been linked to parenting difficulties and increased parental stress, their role across child psychiatric disorders remains unclear. Methods This cross-sectional observational study examined associations between parental ACEs, parenting style, parental stress, and child psychopathology in a sample of 76 children and adolescents (aged 6–17 years) across three diagnostic groups: ADHD ( n = 29), internalizing disorders ( n = 32), and functional incontinence ( n = 15). Parents completed the ACE-D, EEI, ESF, and CBCL 6–18R. Results Descriptively, mothers reported higher mean ACE scores than fathers (1.5 vs. 0.9). Parental ACE scores correlated with child externalizing symptoms ( ρ = .386, p < .01) and parental stress ( ρ = .257, p < .05), but not with internalizing symptoms. Parenting style differed between groups, with parents of children with ADHD reporting greater strictness than parents of children with internalizing disorders. No direct association between ACE scores and parenting style was found. The overall group difference in parental stress was significant, but no post-hoc group comparison remained significant. Love/appreciation was negatively associated with both symptom dimensions and parental stress. Regression analysis identified externalizing symptoms ( β = .454, p < .001) and role restriction ( β = .336, p < .01) as significant predictors of parental stress (adjusted R 2 = .46). As both, role restriction and parental stress are subscales of one questionnaire, this association may reflect common-method variance. Conclusion Parental ACEs are associated with child externalizing symptoms and heightened parental stress, but showed no direct relationship with parenting style, suggesting ACEs operate via different risk factors. In the multiple regression model, parental ACE scores were no longer significantly associated with parental stress once child externalizing symptoms and role restriction were taken into account. These findings underscore the relevance of positive parenting, child externalizing symptoms, and perceived role restriction in understanding parental stress. Routine ACE assessment may identify at-risk families and inform interventions targeting parental stress and positive parent–child relationships.

Source: Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

DOI: 10.3389/frcha.2026.1921885

Authors: K. Pfaff, S. Lion, J. Hussong, H. Honecker-Gebauer, E. Möhler

Institution: Saarland University

Language: English

Topic: Child Abuse and Trauma

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,353