0207 Mothers’ Adverse Childhood Experiences and Protective Factors are Associated with Rest-activity Rhythms in their Children

Abstract

Introduction: Mothers history of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs; e.g. maltreatment, household dysfunction) are associated with poor health outcomes in their children, but mechanisms underlying this intergenerational transmission are poorly understood. Given links between circadian rhythm and the stress-response system, we test the hypothesis that maternal ACEs influence child health through disrupted rest-activity rhythm (RAR) in the mother and child. We also explore whether mothers benevolent childhood experiences (BCEs) are protective against disrupted RAR. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional pilot study of maternalchild dyads with preschool-age children. Mothers reported history of childhood adversity (ACEs Scale, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire) and protective factors (BCE Scale). Dyads wore wrist actigraphs for 8-10 days and mothers completed daily electronic diaries. Nonparametric measures of RAR (e.g. interdaily stability [IS], intradaily variability [IV]) were calculated. We used linear regression to examine associations between mothers childhood history and maternal and child RAR measures, controlling for household size and maternal employment. Results: Maternal-child dyads (N=20) identified as white (75%), Black (15%), and Hispanic/Latina (10%). Mean child age was 4.2 years (40% female). Average household size was 4.5 ±.1.1 and 65% of mothers were employed. Forty-two percent of mothers reported 1-2 ACEs and 25% reported 3 or more ACEs. Maternal childhood history was not associated with mothers RAR. However, maternal ACEs and CTQ total score were associated with decreased child IS (ACEs: β= -0.47, SE=0.01, p=.02; CTQ total: β= -0.53, SE=.01, p=.001) and increased child IV (ACEs: β=0.29, SE=.01, p=.051; CTQ total: β=0.38, SE+.00, p=.03). CTQ subscales revealed maternal childhood physical abuse (β= -0.54, SE=.01, p