Neural and Epigenetic Factors in Parenting: Individual Differences and Dyadic Processes

A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Educational Neuroscience".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2021) | Viewed by 33783

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. Department of Developmental Psychology and Education, Faculty of Psychology, University of La Laguna, 38200 La Laguna, Spain
2. University Institute of Neuroscience, University of La Laguna, 38200 La Laguna, Spain
Interests: positive parenting; intervention evaluation; early adversity; maternal neglect; personality traits; mother–child interaction; EEG signal processing; brain imaging

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Guest Editor
Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Interests: behavioral epigenetics; developmental psychobiology; early intervention; mother-infant interaction; stress regulation
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Human parenting is a fundamental educational context that is biologically primed and constitutes fertile ground for exploring neural and epigenetic factors that shape the complexities of the caregiving task. This Special Issue addresses such complexities, focusing on parents’ individual differences and dyadic processes. Parenting is seen as comprising a set of mental health conditions as well as cognitive, emotional, motivational, and behavioral dispositions that may vary from parent to parent. Parenting is also best understood as a transactional dyadic process between both caregivers as well as parent–child interactions aimed at their co-adaptations. We invite studies using cutting-edge neuroimaging techniques, including time-sensitive techniques such as magnetoencephalography, electroencephalography, and eye tracking, examining the brain bases of adaptive and maladaptive parenting and brain-to-brain connectivity. Studies using quantifiable epigenetic markers, such as DNA methylation, can also help to derive associations between epigenetic variation and a particular identifiable phenotype/trait relevant to parenting. Finally, intervention studies reporting the evaluation of evidence-based parenting programs involving neural or epigenetic measures are also welcome. For this Special Issue, we invite the submission of original research papers and review articles addressing the aforementioned topics using some of the techniques referred to above.

Prof. Dr. María José Rodrigo
Dr. Livio Provenzi
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • parenting
  • mental health
  • personality traits
  • co-parenting
  • parent–child interaction
  • neuroimaging
  • DNA methylation

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Editorial

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4 pages, 213 KiB  
Editorial
Editorial: Neural and Epigenetic Factors in Parenting, Individual Differences and Dyadic Processes
by Livio Provenzi, Serena Grumi and Maria José Rodrigo
Brain Sci. 2022, 12(4), 478; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci12040478 - 5 Apr 2022
Viewed by 1637
Abstract
Human parenting is a fundamental educational context including complex caregiving tasks finalized to nurture and protect young children [...] Full article

Research

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15 pages, 1403 KiB  
Article
Reduction in Epigenetic Age Acceleration Is Related to Empathy in Mothers with Neglectful Caregiving
by Silvia Herrero-Roldán, María José Rodrigo, Juan A. Hernández-Cabrera, Colter Mitchell, Maykel López, Julia Alcoba-Florez, Jonah Fisher, Fernanda Espinosa and Inmaculada León
Brain Sci. 2021, 11(11), 1376; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11111376 - 21 Oct 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3143
Abstract
DNA methylation clocks are used as molecular estimators of epigenetic age, but with little evidence in mothers and none in neglectful mothering. We investigated differences in epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) and the role of empathy using the PhenoAge clock. We collected saliva samples [...] Read more.
DNA methylation clocks are used as molecular estimators of epigenetic age, but with little evidence in mothers and none in neglectful mothering. We investigated differences in epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) and the role of empathy using the PhenoAge clock. We collected saliva samples from mothers with extreme disregard for their child’s needs (50 in the neglect group, NG) and mothers with non-neglectful caregiving (87 in the control group, CG). Mothers completed an empathy scale, along with questionnaires of their own childhood maltreatment, adverse life events and psychiatric disorders. Sociodemographic variables potentially affecting EAA were also measured. The ANCOVA solution showed a significant increase in EAA in the NG compared to the CG, after adjustment for maternal age, number of pregnancies, financial assistance, adverse events, childhood maltreatment and psychiatric disorder. The group interaction effects showed a reduction in EAA for greater empathic concern and for a higher education level both as positive factors, and an increment in EAA for mothers living in a two-parent family as a risk factor, all in the NG. Our findings open the search for protective factors of EAA associated with caregiver behavior to reduce health vulnerabilities and poor social functioning, especially for mothers at risk of maladaptive caregiving. Full article
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16 pages, 915 KiB  
Article
Serotonin Transporter Gene Polymorphisms and Maternal Overprotection Regulate Adult Social Expectations on Close Relationships
by Andrea Bonassi, Ilaria Cataldo, Giulio Gabrieli, Bruno Lepri and Gianluca Esposito
Brain Sci. 2021, 11(9), 1123; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11091123 - 25 Aug 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3447
Abstract
Humans are evolutionary-driven to adult mating and conceive social expectations on the quality of their affiliations. The genetic susceptibility to adverse environments in critical periods can alter close relationships. The current research investigates how the promoter region of the Serotonin Transporter Gene (5-HTTLPR) [...] Read more.
Humans are evolutionary-driven to adult mating and conceive social expectations on the quality of their affiliations. The genetic susceptibility to adverse environments in critical periods can alter close relationships. The current research investigates how the promoter region of the Serotonin Transporter Gene (5-HTTLPR) and perceived caregiving behavior in childhood could influence the social expectations on close adult relationships. For this purpose, 5-HTTLPR data was collected from the buccal mucosa of 65 Italian individuals (33 males). The participants filled (a) the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) to provide the levels of care and overprotection from mother and father, and (b) the Experience in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R) to report the social expectations on the intimate relationship assessed in terms of anxiety and avoidance from the partner. An interaction effect between 5-HTTLPR and PBI dimensions on the ECR-R scores was hypothesized. Results confirmed that the interplay between the genetic groups and history of maternal overprotection predicted avoidance experienced in romantic relationships in adulthood. Moreover, both adult anxiety and avoidance felt in an intimate relationship were found to covary as a function of maternal overprotection. The present work proposes further evidence of the genetic and parental mechanisms regulating social expectations involved in close relationships. Full article
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14 pages, 1018 KiB  
Article
Distinctive Frontal and Occipitotemporal Surface Features in Neglectful Parenting
by Inmaculada León, María José Rodrigo, Ileana Quiñones, Juan Andrés Hernández-Cabrera and Lorna García-Pentón
Brain Sci. 2021, 11(3), 387; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11030387 - 18 Mar 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2429
Abstract
Although the brain signatures of adaptive human parenting are well documented, the cortical features associated with maladaptive caregiving are underexplored. We investigated whether cortical thickness and surface area vary in a small group of mothers who had neglected their children (24 in the [...] Read more.
Although the brain signatures of adaptive human parenting are well documented, the cortical features associated with maladaptive caregiving are underexplored. We investigated whether cortical thickness and surface area vary in a small group of mothers who had neglected their children (24 in the neglect group, NG) compared to a control group of mothers with non-neglectful caregiving (21 in the control group, CG). We also tested whether the cortical differences were related to dyadic mother-child emotional availability (EA) in a play task with their children and whether alexithymia involving low emotional awareness that characterizes the NG could play a role in the cortical-EA associations. Whole-brain analysis of the cortical mantle identified reduced cortical thickness in the right rostral middle frontal gyrus and an increased surface area in the right lingual and lateral occipital cortices for the NG with respect to the CG. Follow-up path analysis showed direct effects of the right rostral middle frontal gyrus (RMFG) on the emotional availability (EA) and on the difficulty to identify feelings (alexithymia factor), with a marginal indirect RMFG-EA effect through this factor. These preliminary findings extend existing work by implicating differences in cortical features associated with neglectful parenting and relevant to mother-child interactive bonding. Full article
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11 pages, 276 KiB  
Article
Epigenetics in Families: Covariance between Mother and Child Methylation Patterns
by Tanya Van Aswegen, Guy Bosmans, Luc Goossens, Karla Van Leeuwen, Stephan Claes, Wim Van Den Noortgate and Benjamin L. Hankin
Brain Sci. 2021, 11(2), 190; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11020190 - 4 Feb 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2696
Abstract
Theory and research both point at epigenetic processes affecting both parenting behavior and child functioning. However, little is known about the convergence of mother and child’s epigenetic patterns in families. Therefore, the current study investigated epigenetic covariance in mother–child dyads’ methylation levels regarding [...] Read more.
Theory and research both point at epigenetic processes affecting both parenting behavior and child functioning. However, little is known about the convergence of mother and child’s epigenetic patterns in families. Therefore, the current study investigated epigenetic covariance in mother–child dyads’ methylation levels regarding four stress-regulation related genes (5HTT, NR3C1, FKBP5, and BDNF). Covariance was tested in a general population sample, consisting of early adolescents (Mage = 11.63, SDage = 2.3) and mothers (N = 160 dyads). Results showed that mother and offspring 5HTT and NR3C1 methylation patterns correlated. Furthermore, when averaged across genes, methylation levels strongly correlated. These findings partially supported that child and parent methylation levels covary. It might be important to consider this covariance to understand maladaptive parent–child relationships. Full article
14 pages, 1689 KiB  
Article
Do Pregnancy-Induced Brain Changes Reverse? The Brain of a Mother Six Years after Parturition
by Magdalena Martínez-García, María Paternina-Die, Erika Barba-Müller, Daniel Martín de Blas, Laura Beumala, Romina Cortizo, Cristina Pozzobon, Luis Marcos-Vidal, Alberto Fernández-Pena, Marisol Picado, Elena Belmonte-Padilla, Anna Massó-Rodriguez, Agustin Ballesteros, Manuel Desco, Óscar Vilarroya, Elseline Hoekzema and Susanna Carmona
Brain Sci. 2021, 11(2), 168; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11020168 - 28 Jan 2021
Cited by 40 | Viewed by 10448
Abstract
Neuroimaging researchers commonly assume that the brain of a mother is comparable to that of a nulliparous woman. However, pregnancy leads to pronounced gray matter volume reductions in the mother’s brain, which have been associated with maternal attachment towards the baby. Beyond two [...] Read more.
Neuroimaging researchers commonly assume that the brain of a mother is comparable to that of a nulliparous woman. However, pregnancy leads to pronounced gray matter volume reductions in the mother’s brain, which have been associated with maternal attachment towards the baby. Beyond two years postpartum, no study has explored whether these brain changes are maintained or instead return to pre-pregnancy levels. The present study tested whether gray matter volume reductions detected in primiparous women are still present six years after parturition. Using data from a unique, prospective neuroimaging study, we compared the gray matter volume of 25 primiparous and 22 nulliparous women across three sessions: before conception (n = 25/22), during the first months of postpartum (n = 25/21), and at six years after parturition (n = 7/5). We found that most of the pregnancy-induced gray matter volume reductions persist six years after parturition (classifying women as having been pregnant or not with 91.67% of total accuracy). We also found that brain changes at six years postpartum are associated with measures of mother-to-infant attachment. These findings open the possibility that pregnancy-induced brain changes are permanent and encourage neuroimaging studies to routinely include pregnancy-related information as a relevant demographic variable. Full article
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Other

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32 pages, 605 KiB  
Systematic Review
Neurobiological Implications of Parent–Child Emotional Availability: A Review
by Emma L. M. Clark, Yuqin Jiao, Karen Sandoval and Zeynep Biringen
Brain Sci. 2021, 11(8), 1016; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11081016 - 30 Jul 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4377
Abstract
Parental influences are important for a child’s behavior, overall adjustment, as well as cognitive/language development. New research is exploring how relationships with parents can influence a child’s neurobiological functioning and development. In this systematic review, our first aim is to describe how the [...] Read more.
Parental influences are important for a child’s behavior, overall adjustment, as well as cognitive/language development. New research is exploring how relationships with parents can influence a child’s neurobiological functioning and development. In this systematic review, our first aim is to describe how the caregiving environment influences these aspects of child development. The second and main aim is to review and recommend that the concept (and measurement) of “emotional availability” may provide a new window in this continued exploration. Emotional availability (EA) refers to the capacity of a dyad to share an emotionally healthy relationship. The EA Scales assess this construct using a multi-dimensional framework, with a method to measure the affect and behavior of both the child and adult partner (caregiver). In this review, we first provide an overview of child development research, with regards to stress physiology, neuroendocrine system, genetics and epigenetics, and brain mechanisms. We then summarize the results of specific EA research in these areas, and propose a theoretical model integrating these constructs. Finally, we offer areas for future research in this area. Full article
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18 pages, 1420 KiB  
Systematic Review
The Paternal Brain in Action: A Review of Human Fathers’ fMRI Brain Responses to Child-Related Stimuli
by Livio Provenzi, Johanna Lindstedt, Kris De Coen, Linda Gasparini, Denis Peruzzo, Serena Grumi, Filippo Arrigoni and Sari Ahlqvist-Björkroth
Brain Sci. 2021, 11(6), 816; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11060816 - 20 Jun 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4061
Abstract
As fathers are increasingly involved in childcare, understanding the neurological underpinnings of fathering has become a key research issue in developmental psychobiology research. This systematic review specifically focused on (1) highlighting methodological issues of paternal brain research using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) [...] Read more.
As fathers are increasingly involved in childcare, understanding the neurological underpinnings of fathering has become a key research issue in developmental psychobiology research. This systematic review specifically focused on (1) highlighting methodological issues of paternal brain research using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and (2) summarizing findings related to paternal brain responses to auditory and visual infant stimuli. Sixteen papers were included from 157 retrieved records. Sample characteristics (e.g., fathers’ and infant’s age, number of kids, and time spent caregiving), neuroimaging information (e.g., technique, task, stimuli, and processing), and main findings were synthesized by two independent authors. Most of the reviewed works used different stimuli and tasks to test fathers’ responses to child visual and/or auditory stimuli. Pre-processing and first-level analyses were performed with standard pipelines. Greater heterogeneity emerged in second-level analyses. Three main cortical networks (mentalization, embodied simulation, and emotion regulation) and a subcortical network emerged linked with fathers’ responses to infants’ stimuli, but additional areas (e.g., frontal gyrus, posterior cingulate cortex) were also responsive to infants’ visual or auditory stimuli. This review suggests that a distributed and complex brain network may be involved in facilitating fathers’ sensitivity and responses to infant-related stimuli. Nonetheless, specific methodological caveats, the exploratory nature of large parts of the literature to date, and the presence of heterogeneous tasks and measures also demonstrate that systematic improvements in study designs are needed to further advance the field. Full article
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