![Sample our Social Sciences journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/110822/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Social-Sciences.jpg"})
Abstract
Internalising problems affect up to one in five people, and symptoms can be identified in early childhood. Relatively little is known about whether early childhood risks lead to mid-childhood internalising difficulties. In this study a community sample of two-year-old children (N = 112) was followed longitudinally to age seven years (N = 93, 83% retention). Mothers completed questionnaires measuring family life-stressors, maternal anxiety-depression, specific parenting practices and child internalising symptoms. The results demonstrated that seven-year internalising difficulties were strongly predicted by early childhood risks (R=.70, p<.001). Internalising symptoms showed substantial continuity from early to mid-childhood. Aspects of the early environment predicting seven-year internalising difficulties were over-involved/protective and less warm-engaged parenting and maternal anxietydepression. Environmental effects were mediated by early child internalising symptoms. These findings could guide development of early prevention and mental health promotion programmes.