The role of social adversity on emotional dysregulation during infancy and early childhood.
Harry Adynski, Cathi Propper, Linda Beeber and 3 others
PMID 37037102WHAT IT FOUND
Higher social adversity was linked to more infant fear, less distress to limitations over time, and slower recovery.
In early childhood, it was linked to higher dysregulation scores but not worsening trajectories.
Key findings
01For each unit increase in social adversity, mother-reported infant fear scores increased by 0.13 after adjusting for maternal distress and child sex.
02For each unit increase in social adversity, the odds of infants having a dysregulated distress-to-limitations class were 0.72, and the odds of infants having a dysregulated recovery class were 1.34.
03In early childhood, each unit increase in social adversity was associated with a 1.97 higher dysregulation score, but not with a worsening trajectory or dysregulation class.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
All emotional regulation outcomes were mother-reported, so a mother's own distress or perception could shape the scores. Dyads with missing data at any timepoint were excluded, so the analysed sample was smaller than the original 206 dyads: 127 to 144 for infancy and 102 for early childhood. The study measured only five social adversity factors, not a broader set of environmental risks or protective factors. Data collection began in 2002, so the social context may not match current practice. No physiological or direct child observation measures were included, so the study cannot show how adversity affects stress biology. Early childhood dysregulation scores were relatively stable, which limited how much change could be detected over time.
Declared interests
The authors declared no competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have influenced the work.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that social adversity causes emotional dysregulation or that nurse screening improves outcomes. The study was observational, relied on maternal report, and did not test any intervention.