Intergenerational Pathways Between Parental ACEs and Child Mental Health: Partner Relationships as Intervention Points

Abstract

This study examined intergenerational pathways between parental adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) to child mental health and the potential moderating role of partner relationships with the dimensional model of adversity and psychopathology (DMAP). Structural equation modeling was applied to analyze longitudinal data from 537 caregivers (Mage = 37.3, SDage = 6.3) and their children (Mage = 6.8, SDage = 1.4). Threat-related ACEs were positively associated with lower parent mental health for caregivers with low relationship quality (LR: β = 0.21, p