Eve-Line Bussières

Meta-analytic findings of the relation between maternal prenatal stress and anxiety and child cognitive outcome.

Objective: Different studies have revealed mixed findings regarding the relation between maternal prenatal stress or anxiety (MPSA) and early child cognitive outcome. Different methodological considerations may be linked to the absence of clear support for this hypothesized link. The purpose of this article was to conduct a meta-analysis of this relation while considering the following as potential moderators: (1) pregnancy trimester during which MPSA was assessed, (2) type of MPSA assessment (life events, pregnancy related, subjective assessments), and (3) research design (retrospective or prospective). Other moderators were also examined: child age at assessment and the year of publication. Method: Eleven studies were identified (N = 5903) that examined the relation between MPSA and early child cognitive outcome. Results: A small effect size of r = −.05 was found for this relation. The effect size varied across studies and was significantly moderated by the manner in which MPSA was operationalized (events, subjective assessment of stress or pregnancy-related stress or anxiety) and by whether MPSA assessment took place before or after infant birth. Greater relations to child cognitive outcome were found for postnatal event-based indicators of MPSA. Conclusion: The relation between MPSA and child cognitive outcome seems to be present, but low. Moreover, it is affected by the specific choices made by researchers in the manner in which constructs are operationalized.

Foetal programming and cortisol secretion in early childhood: A meta-analysis of different programming variables

It is widely recognized that different events may take place in the intrauterine environment that may influence later developmental outcome. Scholars have long postulated that maternal prenatal stress, alcohol or drug use, and cigarette smoking may impact foetal formation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which may later influence different aspects of early childhood socioemotional and cognitive development. However, results linking each of these factors with child cortisol secretion have been mixed. The current meta-analysis examined the relation between each of these programming variables and child cortisol secretion in studies conducted up to December 31st, 2012. Studies were included if they were conducted prior to child age 60 months, and if they reported an index of effect size linking either maternal prenatal stress, alcohol or drug use, or cigarette smoking with an index of child cortisol secretion. In total, 19 studies (N=2260) revealed an average effect size of d=.36 (p<.001). Moderator analyses revealed that greater effect sizes could be traced to maternal alcohol use, to the use of retrospective research methodology, where mothers are questioned after childbirth regarding programming variables, and to the use of baseline measures of cortisol secretion, as opposed to recovery measures. Discussion focuses on processes that link the environment to foetal development and how both are linked to later adaptation.

Neuropsychological Profile of Children, Adolescents and Adults Experiencing Maltreatment: A Meta-analysis

Objective: Few studies have attempted to describe the range of cognitive impairments affecting people who have experienced child maltreatment. The aim of this meta-analysis was to examine the neuropsychological profile of these people and to determine the cognitive impacts of maltreatment from childhood to adulthood. Method: Fifty-two publications from 1970 to 2013 were included. Results: The affected cognitive domains were working memory (gu2009=u2009−.65), attention (gu2009=u2009−.63), intelligence (gu2009=u2009−.56) and speed of processing (gu2009=u2009−.49). The impact of maltreatment was greater in young children (gu2009=u2009−.71) and less pronounced in adults (gu2009=u2009−.26). Conclusions: These results suggest that exposure to maltreatment has an impact on specific cognitive processes, regardless of age.

Language problems among abused and neglected children: a meta-analytic review

Research data show that exposure to abuse and neglect has detrimental effects on a child’s language development. In this meta-analysis, we analyze studies (k = 23), to compare the language skills (receptive language, expressive language, pragmatics) of children who have experienced abuse and/or neglect with the language skills of children who have not experienced abuse and/or neglect and to examine whether age or type of maltreatment moderate the relationship between maltreatment and language skills. Results confirm that the language skills of children who have experienced abuse and/or neglect are delayed when compared to children who have not experienced abuse and/or neglect. Compared to older children, young children seem particularly vulnerable to abuse and neglect. No significant differences were demonstrated concerning the type of maltreatment suffered by the child. These findings support the necessity of early detection of language problems in abused and neglected children as well as early intervention in order to implement interventions that will positively stimulate their development.

Common transdiagnostic cognitive deficits among people with psychiatric disorders exposed to childhood maltreatment: a meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Introduction: Previous meta-analyses have shown a moderate negative impact of maltreatment on the neuropsychological functioning of people with or without psychiatric disorders compared to healthy groups. The objectives of the present meta-analysis were to (1) investigate the impact of maltreatment on neuropsychological functioning of people with psychiatric disorders and to (2) evaluate the moderating effect of age, at the time of the cognitive assessment, on neuropsychological functioning. Methods: Seventeen studies published between 1970 and July 2017 were included. Results: The results showed a negative impact of maltreatment with a small effect size (gu2009=u2009−0.25) on the neuropsychological performances in the group with psychiatric disorders with a history of exposure to childhood maltreatment compared to the group with psychiatric disorders without a history of exposure to childhood maltreatment. Cognitive domains that are significantly affected by maltreatment are: working memory (gu2009=u2009−0.56), verbal episodic memory (gu2009=u2009−0.39), intelligence (gu2009=u2009−0.27) and processing speed (gu2009=u2009−0.21). The impact of childhood maltreatment on the cognitive profile is greater in adults than young people. Conclusions: Clinicians should consider these common cognitive deficits using a transdiagnostic approach in cognitive interventions.

Association between child custody and postseparation coparenting: A meta-analysis.

Postseparation coparenting is decisive in the adjustment of families going through parental separation, which supports the necessity to gain a better understanding of the factors influencing this coparental relationship. This meta-analysis of 13 studies first examines the magnitude of the association between child custody and postseparation coparenting (conflict and cooperation). A second objective of this meta-analysis is to explore the influence of potential moderating variables, such as the time elapsed since the separation, the parent who has sole custody, the informant of the outcome variable, and the study’s publication year. Findings show that parents with joint custody exhibit more cooperation than those with sole custody. However, it appears that having joint or sole custody has no influence on the level of conflict between two coparents. Interpretation of these results is quantified by the fact that the majority of the variables considered in terms of moderators act to modify the relationship between child custody arrangements and postseparation coparenting. This suggests that the development of less conflictual and more cooperative postseparation coparenting does not depend on a single factor, such as the type of custody arrangement, but on numerous interrelated factors. Future research and interventions should focus on the dynamics of the interaction of factors influencing postseparation coparenting. It is also important to take into account the limitations of such studies in the understanding of the subject, including limitations related to operational definitions of child custody arrangements. L’exercice conjoint du rôle parental est déterminant dans l’adaptation des familles ayant subi la séparation des parents, ce qui va en faveur de la nécessité de mieux comprendre les facteurs influant sur la relation des parents. Cette méta-analyse de 13 études examine, dans un premier temps, l’ampleur du lien entre la garde de l’enfant et l’exercice conjoint du rôle parental après la séparation (conflit et coopération). Dans un deuxième temps, elle vise à déterminer l’influence de variables potentiellement modératrices, comme le temps depuis la séparation, le parent ayant la garde exclusive, la source de la variante dépendante et l’année de la publication de l’étude. Les résultats montrent que les parents ayant la garde partagée témoignent de plus de coopération que ceux ayant la garde exclusive. Toutefois, il semble que le fait d’avoir la garde unique ou partagée n’ait aucune incidence sur le niveau de conflit entre les deux parents. L’interprétation de ces résultats est quantifiée par le fait que la majorité des variables jugées modératrices modifient la relation entre les dispositions relatives à la garde de l’enfant et l’exercice conjoint du rôle parental après la séparation. Cela suggère que le développement d’une relation moins conflictuelle et plus coopérative après la séparation pour le partage du rôle parental ne dépend pas d’un seul facteur, tel le type de garde convenu, mais plutôt de nombreux facteurs interdépendants. Les futures recherches et interventions pourraient s’attarder à la dynamique de l’interaction des facteurs influant sur l’exercice conjoint du rôle parental après la séparation. De plus, il est important de tenir compte des limites de telles recherches en ce qui a trait à la compréhension du sujet, dont les limites relatives aux définitions opérationnelles des ententes au sujet de la garde des enfants.

Efficacité et Efficience Des Programmes De Transition À la Vie Adulte : Une Revue Systématique

Les difficultés vécues par les jeunes qui terminent un placement à majorité dans les services de protection à l’enfance sont multiples et largement documentées dans la littérature scientifique. De ce fait, plusieurs pays industrialisés ont mis en place des politiques et des programmes pour encadrer la transition des jeunes à leur sortie d’un placement. La présente revue systématique aborde deux questions importantes concernant ces programmes : 1) Est-ce que les programmes de transition à la vie adulte sont efficaces pour préparer les jeunes pris en charge en centre de réadaptation lors de la transition à la vie adulte ? 2) Ces programmes sont-ils efficients, c’est-à-dire, est-ce que les bénéfices surpassent les coûts engendrés ? Pour y répondre, les études comparatives (expérimentales, quasi expérimentales ou de cohorte) publiées dans la littérature scientifique et la littérature grise de 1970 à 2014 ont été répertoriées. Huit études concernant l’efficacité et trois études portant sur l’efficience des programmes de transition à la vie adulte ont été retenues selon les critères d’inclusion de la revue systématique. Les constats émanant de cette recension sont exposés et des recommandations sont émises par les auteurs. The many problems experienced by young people who reach the age of majority at the end of a placement in the child welfare system are well documented in the scientific literature. As a result, many countries have introduced policies and programs to encompass the transition stage. This systematic review addresses two important questions concerning those programs: 1) Are the programs effective in preparing young people who are taken in care at readaptation centres to make the transition to adulthood? 2) Are these programs efficient; that is, do the benefits outweigh the cost? To answer those questions, comparative studies (experimental, quasi-experimental or cohort studies) published in the scientific literature and grey literature between 1970 and 2014 were identified. Eight studies concerning effectiveness and three studies dealing with efficiency of programs for transition to adulthood were selected based on inclusion criteria for the systematic review. The findings of the review are set out along with recommendations from the authors.