Adolescent Internalizing, Externalizing, and Social Problems Following Iron Deficiency at 12–18 Months: The Role of Maternal Responsiveness. Issue 3 (2nd June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Doom, Jenalee R.; Gahagan, Sheila; East, Patricia L.; Encina, Pamela; Delva, Jorge; Lozoff, Betsy
• Is Part Of: Child development. Volume 91:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: e545
• Page End: e562
• Publication Date: 2019-06-02
• Subjects: Child development -- Periodicals; Child psychology -- Periodicals; Child Development -- Periodicals; Child Development; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; Pedicatrics; 305.231
• DOI: 10.1111/cdev.13266
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0009-3920

Abstract

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.