Associations between Maternal Adverse Childhood Experiences, Stressful Life Events, and Child Behavioral Outcomes in Racially/Ethnically Diverse Families

The purpose of this study was to examine associations between psychosocial factors and parenting practices with behavioral outcomes in children from racially/ethnically diverse mothers with a history of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and stressful life events (SLEs). This was a secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey data from the Family Matters cohort study. The analytic sample included families with children ages 5–9 with non-White mothers ( n = 930) recruited from Minneapolis-St. Paul primary care clinics representing five racial/ethnic backgrounds (Black, Native American, Hmong, Somali, Latino). Multivariable regression models examined associations between maternal ACEs/SLEs, parenting practices, and child behavioral outcomes, adjusting for sociodemographic and contextual factors. Women with ≥ 4 ACEs and/or SLEs reported more permissive ( p = < 0.001) and authoritarian parenting ( p =. 0018), substance use ( p = <. 001), and levels of moderate and severe psychosocial distress ( p = <. 001) compared to those with fewer to no ACEs/SLEs. Child behaviors were elevated among mothers reporting severe psychosocial distress (β = 2.85; p < .001), permissive parenting (β = 1.88; p < .001), and authoritarian parenting (β = 1.27; p < .001). There was a significant interaction between authoritarian parenting and community violence (β = 0.714, p = .022), strengthening the association between maternal mental health and child behavioral difficulties. In racially/ethnically diverse women with a history of ACEs/SLEs, maternal mental health distress and parenting practices were independently associated with higher child behavioral problems. Community violence may also play a role in these relationships. It is important to maintain maternal wellbeing by connecting mothers with appropriate mental health and parenting resources.