By Cleanthis Michael, Arianna M. Gard, Scott Tillem, et al, JAMA Pediatrics, Image: from Unsplash, October 28, 2024
Key Points
Question Are there sensitive periods when parenting during childhood is associated with functional brain architecture during adolescence and, in turn, mental health during early adulthood?
Findings This longitudinal cohort study of 173 youths demonstrated that associations between harsh parenting and brain architecture were widespread in early childhood, but localized to corticolimbic circuitry in late childhood. Associations with warm parenting were localized to corticolimbic regions in middle childhood, which, in turn, were associated with lower internalizing symptoms in early adulthood during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meaning These findings identify sensitive periods for the neurodevelopmental associations of parenting, which can inform the type and timing of preventive interventions.
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