Cortisol and Parenting Predict Pathways to Disinhibited Social Engagement and Social Functioning in Previously Institutionalized Children

Carrie E. DePasquale; Jamie M. Lawler; Kalsea J. Koss; Megan R. Gunnar

doi:10.1007/s10802-020-00633-8

Cortisol and Parenting Predict Pathways to Disinhibited Social Engagement and Social Functioning in Previously Institutionalized Children

Carrie E. DePasquale, Jamie M. Lawler, Kalsea J. Koss, Megan R. Gunnar

Institute of Child Development

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Previously institutionalized children on average show persistent deficits in physiological and behavioral regulation, as well as a lack of normative reticence towards strangers, or disinhibited social engagement (DSE). Post-adoption parenting, specifically a combination of supportive presence and structure/limit-setting, may protect against DSE over time via better adrenocortical functioning. This study examined the impact of adrenocortical activity and post-adoption parenting on DSE across the first two years post-adoption (age at adoption: 16–36 months) and observed kindergarten social outcomes in previously institutionalized children (n = 94) compared to non-adopted children (n = 52). Path analyses indicated a developmental cascade from institutional care (operationalized as a dichotomous group variable, age at adoption, and months of institutionalization) to blunted adrenocortical activity, increased DSE, and lower kindergarten social competence. Consistent with a permissive parenting style, higher parental support was associated with increased DSE, but only when not accompanied by effective structure/limit-setting. Further, parental structure reduced the association between blunted adrenocortical activity and DSE behaviors.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	797-808
Number of pages	12
Journal	Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
Volume	48
Issue number	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-020-00633-8
State	Published - Jun 1 2020

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We thank the International Adoption Project and the families for their participation. Grant support was provided by the National Institute of Mental Health, R01 MH080905 and P50 MH078105 (to MRG), the Center for Neurobehavioral Development (University of Minnesota), and National Institute of Mental Health training grant T32 MH015755 (to CED). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not represent the views of the National Institutes of Health.

Keywords

Cortisol
Disinhibited social engagement
Institutional care
Parenting style/process
Social competence

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10.1007/s10802-020-00633-8

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abstract = "Previously institutionalized children on average show persistent deficits in physiological and behavioral regulation, as well as a lack of normative reticence towards strangers, or disinhibited social engagement (DSE). Post-adoption parenting, specifically a combination of supportive presence and structure/limit-setting, may protect against DSE over time via better adrenocortical functioning. This study examined the impact of adrenocortical activity and post-adoption parenting on DSE across the first two years post-adoption (age at adoption: 16–36 months) and observed kindergarten social outcomes in previously institutionalized children (n = 94) compared to non-adopted children (n = 52). Path analyses indicated a developmental cascade from institutional care (operationalized as a dichotomous group variable, age at adoption, and months of institutionalization) to blunted adrenocortical activity, increased DSE, and lower kindergarten social competence. Consistent with a permissive parenting style, higher parental support was associated with increased DSE, but only when not accompanied by effective structure/limit-setting. Further, parental structure reduced the association between blunted adrenocortical activity and DSE behaviors.",

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note = "Funding Information: We thank the International Adoption Project and the families for their participation. Grant support was provided by the National Institute of Mental Health, R01 MH080905 and P50 MH078105 (to MRG), the Center for Neurobehavioral Development (University of Minnesota), and National Institute of Mental Health training grant T32 MH015755 (to CED). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not represent the views of the National Institutes of Health. ",

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N2 - Previously institutionalized children on average show persistent deficits in physiological and behavioral regulation, as well as a lack of normative reticence towards strangers, or disinhibited social engagement (DSE). Post-adoption parenting, specifically a combination of supportive presence and structure/limit-setting, may protect against DSE over time via better adrenocortical functioning. This study examined the impact of adrenocortical activity and post-adoption parenting on DSE across the first two years post-adoption (age at adoption: 16–36 months) and observed kindergarten social outcomes in previously institutionalized children (n = 94) compared to non-adopted children (n = 52). Path analyses indicated a developmental cascade from institutional care (operationalized as a dichotomous group variable, age at adoption, and months of institutionalization) to blunted adrenocortical activity, increased DSE, and lower kindergarten social competence. Consistent with a permissive parenting style, higher parental support was associated with increased DSE, but only when not accompanied by effective structure/limit-setting. Further, parental structure reduced the association between blunted adrenocortical activity and DSE behaviors.

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Cortisol and Parenting Predict Pathways to Disinhibited Social Engagement and Social Functioning in Previously Institutionalized Children

Abstract

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