A Mechanistic Exploration of How Neighborhood Crime Exposure Relates to Neonatal Brain Function, Early Externalizing Behaviors, and Callous-Unemotional Traits
ORCID
https://orcid.org0000-0002-2988-3594
Date of Award
1-24-2025
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Degree Type
Dissertation
Abstract
Pregnancy through early childhood is a period of tremendous neural and behavioral development. Neuronal birth and migration occur prenatally and result in the formation of neonatal functional and structural networks. These early brain networks are a building block for postnatal development wherein infants rapidly learn a variety of new skills, including socioemotional skills such as emotion regulation and moral understanding. During the acquisition of these skills, even typically developing toddlers can act aggressively or impulsively; however, toddlers with high levels of externalizing behaviors are more likely to develop clinical externalizing disorders later in childhood and adolescence. As such, it is crucial to understand the mechanisms that influence the development of early externalizing behaviors and underlying brain function. Prior work has demonstrated that exposure to adversity may alter developmental trajectories; yet, the specific influence of neighborhood crime exposure, which is thought to be a salient environmental threat, remains unclear. The first aim of this dissertation was to determine whether living in a high crime neighborhood prenatally was related to reductions in neonatal functional connectivity and whether maternal psychosocial stress mediated this relationship (Chapter 2). The second aim examined whether neighborhood crime exposure was also related to early externalizing behaviors and whether neonatal functional connectivity and/or parenting mediated this relationship (Chapter 3). The third aim asked whether callous-unemotional traits, which are present in a group of children with particularly severe and persistent externalizing behaviors, were related to neighborhood crime exposure (Chapter 4). The fourth and final aim was to examine what other mechanisms might influence the development of callous-unemotional traits by examining parenting behaviors and maternal emotional intelligence (Chapter 5). By addressing these aims, this dissertation increased knowledge of the mechanisms underlying neonatal functional connectivity, early externalizing behaviors, and callous-unemotional traits. In the future, these factors may be potential therapeutic targets that could lessen the burden of disruptive behaviors.
Language
English (en)
Chair and Committee
Christopher Smyser
Committee Members
Cynthia Rogers; Deanna Barch; Joan Luby; Joshua Shimony
Recommended Citation
Brady, Rebecca, "A Mechanistic Exploration of How Neighborhood Crime Exposure Relates to Neonatal Brain Function, Early Externalizing Behaviors, and Callous-Unemotional Traits" (2025). Arts & Sciences Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 3390.
https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/art_sci_etds/3390