Cortisol and Parenting Predict Pathways to Disinhibited Social Engagement and Social Functioning in Previously Institutionalized Children.

This study examined the impact of adrenocortical activity and post-adoption parenting on DSE across the first two years post-adoption (age at adoption: 16-36 months) and observed kindergarten social outcomes in previously institutionalized children (n = 94) compared to non-adopted children (n = 52). Path analyses indicated a developmental cascade from institutional care (operationalized as a dichotomous group variable, age at adoption, and months of institutionalization) to blunted adrenocortical activity, increased DSE, and lower kindergarten social competence. Consistent with a permissive parenting style, higher parental support was associated with increased DSE, but only when not accompanied by effective structure/limit-setting. Further, parental structure reduced the association between blunted adrenocortical activity and DSE behaviors. PMID: 32157602 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32157602?dopt=Abstract

Source: Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology - March 9, 2020 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: DePasquale CE, Lawler JM, Koss KJ, Gunnar MR Tags: J Abnorm Child Psychol Source Type: research