Maternal emotional intelligence and negative parenting affect are independently associated with callous-unemotional traits in preschoolers

The Effects of Home Quarantine Duration, Parental Emotional Intelligence, and Family Socioeconomic Status on Children's Anxiety During the Pandemic: A Survey of 29,550 Parents

Background

The pandemic has led to unprecedented home quarantine measures affecting children's anxiety levels due to routine disruptions. This study investigated the role of the length of the quarantine period, parents' emotional intelligence, and family socioeconomic status (SES) in influencing children's anxiety.

Objective

This study aims to examine the relationship between quarantine duration and children's anxiety and to explore the mediating role of parents' emotional intelligence and the moderating role of family socioeconomic status in this relationship.

Methods

An online questionnaire surveyed 29,550 parents in Guangdong, Hubei, Henan, and Guangxi provinces of China. The measurement tools used included the Preschool Anxiety Scale, the Family Socioeconomic Status (SES) Scale, and the Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire. The data were analyzed via SPSS 25.0 and Mplus 8.0.

Results

A longer quarantine period (as measured by the number of days) significantly reduced children's anxiety. Parents' emotional intelligence mediates the relationship between quarantine days and children's anxiety, explaining 51.79% of the effect. Family SES moderates the mediating effect of parents' emotional intelligence on children's anxiety, benefiting higher-SES families more than lower-SES families. Children's adaptation during the quarantine period demonstrates psychological resilience.

Conclusion

The mediating effect of parents' emotional intelligence accounted for 51.79% of the total effect of quarantine duration on children's anxiety, with longer quarantine periods associated with decreased anxiety. Family socioeconomic status moderated this effect, benefiting higher-socioeconomic-status families more than lower-socioeconomic-status families. Children's adaptation during the quarantine period demonstrates psychological resilience. To alleviate anxiety, policies should focus on supporting families with lower socioeconomic status and enhancing parental emotional skills.

The Relationship between Family Functioning, Emotional Intelligence, Loneliness, Social Support, and Depressive Symptoms among Undergraduate Students

The transition from adolescence to college is a significant developmental stage marked by challenges such as high academic pressure, changes in living environments, and social support systems. These challenges can lead to increased rates of depression among college students. This study investigates the relationships between family functioning, emotional intelligence, loneliness, social support, and depressive symptoms in Chinese college students. A cross-sectional design was employed, with data collected via questionnaires from undergraduate students at Xi'an Jiaotong University. Variables such as family functioning, emotional intelligence, loneliness, social support, and depressive symptoms were assessed. Statistical analyses, including correlation and hierarchical regression, were conducted to explore these relationships. The study found a diverse distribution of depressive symptoms among students, with significant gender differences indicating higher depression rates in females. No significant differences were observed across academic disciplines, grades, or between only children and non-only children. Family functioning, emotional intelligence, and social support were negatively correlated with depressive symptoms, while loneliness was positively correlated. Hierarchical regression analysis confirmed that social support significantly moderated the relationship between family functioning and depressive symptoms. Mediation analysis showed that emotional intelligence and loneliness mediated this relationship. The findings highlight the complex interplay between family dynamics, emotional capabilities, social connectedness, and mental health. Enhancing family functioning, emotional intelligence, and social support can effectively reduce depressive symptoms among college students. These results underscore the need for holistic interventions that address multiple aspects of students' social and emotional lives.

Newborn Brain Function and Early Emerging Callous-Unemotional Traits

Importance

Children with high callous-unemotional traits are more likely to develop severe and persistent conduct problems; however, the newborn neurobiology underlying early callous-unemotional traits remains unknown. Understanding the neural mechanisms that precede the development of callous-unemotional traits could help identify at-risk children and encourage development of novel treatments.

Objective

To determine whether newborn brain function is associated with early-emerging empathy, prosociality, and callous-unemotional traits.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this prospective, longitudinal cohort study, pregnant women were recruited from obstetric clinics in St Louis, Missouri, from September 1, 2017, to February 28, 2020, with longitudinal data collected until March 20, 2023. Mothers were recruited during pregnancy. Newborns underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging shortly after birth. Mothers completed longitudinal follow-up when the children were aged 1, 2, and 3 years.

Exposures

The sample was enriched for exposure to socioeconomic disadvantage.

Main Outcome and Measure

Functional connectivity between hypothesized brain regions was assessed using newborn-specific networks and voxel-based connectivity analyses. Children's callous-unemotional traits were measured using the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits. Empathy and prosociality were assessed using the Infant and Toddler Socio-Emotional Assessment.

Results

A total of 283 children (mean [SD] gestational age, 38 [2] weeks; 159 male [56.2%]; 2 Asian [0.7%], 171 Black [60%], 7 Hispanic or Latino [2.5%], 106 White [38%], 4 other racial or ethnic group [1.4%]) were included in the analysis. Stronger newborn functional connectivity between the cingulo-opercular network (CO) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) was associated with higher callous-unemotional traits at age 3 years (β = 0.31; 95% CI, 0.17-0.41; P < .001). Results persisted when accounting for parental callous-unemotional traits and child externalizing symptoms. Stronger newborn CO-mPFC connectivity was also associated with lower empathy and lower prosociality at ages 1, 2, and 3 years using multilevel models (β = -0.12; 95% CI, -0.21 to -0.04; P = .004 and β = -0.20; 95% CI, -0.30 to -0.10; P < .001, respectively).

Conclusions and Relevance

Newborn functional connectivity was associated with early-emerging empathy, prosociality, and callous-unemotional traits, even when accounting for parental callous-unemotional traits and child externalizing symptoms. Understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of empathy, prosociality, and callous-unemotional traits at the earliest developmental point may help early risk stratification and novel intervention development.