Parental Adverse Childhood Experiences and Preschooler’s Externalizing Behavior Problems: Identifying Risk and Protective Factors

The preschool period is crucial for early development, and while externalizing behavior problems (EBPs), such as aggression, are common, they can persist over time if left unaddressed. This study explores the impact of parental Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on EBPs in preschoolers, focusing on how cognitive factors—intelligence (IQ), language ability, and executive functioning (EF)—might influence this relationship. Results revealed a significant positive correlation between parental ACEs and preschoolers’ EBPs. Notably, higher levels of executive dysfunction were significantly related to increased externalizing behavior problems. However, neither IQ nor language ability significantly moderated the relationship between parental ACEs and EBPs. These findings indicate that while executive dysfunction is a key predictor of EBPs, it does not alter the impact of parental ACEs. The lack of moderation by IQ and language ability suggests that other factors may be influencing the ACEs-EBPs relationship. Future research should explore additional potential moderators and use diverse samples to deepen our understanding of these dynamics and enhance interventions aimed at reducing EBPs in preschoolers.