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This commentary brings together thoughts on the papers in this special issue and integrates research on adolescent development, resilence, and positive youth experiences that promote character development. We apply the Protective and Compensatory Experieces (PACEs) framework to the papers in the special issue. We also discuss future directions for research and interventions promoting positive youth development and characters strengths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the associations between maternal depression when infants were 3 to 11 months old (M = 6 months), and positive parenting behaviors when children were between 12 and 22 months (M = 17 months) and the home language environment assessed when children were 18 to 28 months old (M = 23.5 months) in a sample of 29 low-income mother-child dyads. After controlling for maternal education, only teaching behaviors remained a moderate and significant predictor of adult word counts. Observed teaching behaviors significantly predicted conversational turns and marginally predicted child vocalizations; effects sizes were small. Encouraging behaviors were a small and significant predictor of conversational turns and a marginally significant predictor of adult word counts. Maternal depression was a moderate and significant predictor of children's vocal productivity scores and a small, marginal predictor of conversational turns. These findings have important implications for parenting and children's language outcomes.

This study explored whether parents' ability to regulate their behaviour and attention, assessed as components of everyday executive function (EF), was influenced by their past adverse experiences -- such as abuse, neglect, and family dysfunction -- and in turn, influenced current relationships with their children. The sample included 73 parent-child dyads from children enrolled in three Midwestern early childhood centres serving low-income children and families. Parents reported on their adverse childhood experiences, EF, and rated their relationship with their child. Findings indicate that more parental adverse childhood experiences were associated with higher ratings of parent-child conflict. This association was indirectly linked through parents' EF. Interventions aimed at parent-child relationships can benefit from addressing parents' past experiences and associated influences on parents' EF.

The relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and negative physical and mental health outcomes is well established (Felitti et al. [1998]. Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults: The adverse childhood experiences (ACE) study. "American Journal of Preventive Medicine," 14(4), 245-258). While awareness of the long-term effects of experiencing childhood abuse and neglect has increased, much less is known about how ACEs impact parenting, and children's social and emotional development. The current study has two objectives (1) to examine the relationship between ACE scores (N = 52) and children's social and emotional problems in a sample of low-income mothers and their young children and (2) to examine maternal depression, perceived social support, and parenting self-efficacy as possible mediators of that relationship. Indirect effects were significant for self-efficacy, B = 0.342, 95% CI [0.010, 0.886] and marginally significant for maternal depression mediating the relationship between ACEs and child social and emotional problems. Findings suggest that one-way mothers' early adversity affects their children's development is through its effects on maternal mental health and parenting confidence.

Parent adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and caregiver reports of harsh parenting were examined in relation to the executive function (EF) abilities in young low-income children. Data were collected from 55 "mother-child" dyads; 17-40 months of age. Parent measures included the ACEs questionnaire and harsh parenting items from the Adult Adolescent Parenting Inventory-2. Children's EF was assessed using game-like tasks to measure working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control. Harsh parenting attitudes were marginally correlated with children's cognitive flexibility. In regression analyses controlling for child age, harsh parenting attitudes predicted lower inhibitory control in children, and parent-reported ACEs predicted lower working memory scores. Findings suggest that parent ACEs and parenting attitudes may be important factors in the development of young children's EF skills.

The relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and negative physical and mental health outcomes is well established (Felitti et al. [1998]. Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults: The adverse childhood experiences (ACE) study. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 14(4), 245–258). While awareness of the long-term effects of experiencing childhood abuse and neglect has increased, much less is known about how ACEs impact parenting, and children's social and emotional development. The current study has two objectives (1) to examine the relationship between ACE scores (N = 52) and children's social and emotional problems in a sample of low-income mothers and their young children and (2) to examine maternal depression, perceived social support, and parenting self-efficacy as possible mediators of that relationship. Indirect effects were significant for self-efficacy, B =.342, 95% CI [.010,.886] and marginally significant for maternal depression mediating the relationship between ACEs and child social and emotional problems. Findings suggest that one-way mothers' early adversity affects their children's development is through its effects on maternal mental health and parenting confidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored whether parents' ability to regulate their behaviour and attention, assessed as components of everyday executive function (EF), was influenced by their past adverse experiences – such as abuse, neglect, and family dysfunction – and in turn, influenced current relationships with their children. The sample included 73 parent–child dyads from children enrolled in three Midwestern early childhood centres serving low-income children and families. Parents reported on their adverse childhood experiences, EF, and rated their relationship with their child. Findings indicate that more parental adverse childhood experiences were associated with higher ratings of parent–child conflict. This association was indirectly linked through parents' EF. Interventions aimed at parent–child relationships can benefit from addressing parents' past experiences and associated influences on parents' EF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the associations between maternal depression when infants were 3 to 11 months old (M = 6 months), and positive parenting behaviors when children were between 12 and 22 months (M = 17 months) and the home language environment assessed when children were 18 to 28 months old (M = 23.5 months) in a sample of 29 low-income mother–child dyads. After controlling for maternal education, only teaching behaviors remained a moderate and significant predictor of adult word counts. Observed teaching behaviors significantly predicted conversational turns and marginally predicted child vocalizations; effects sizes were small. Encouraging behaviors were a small and significant predictor of conversational turns and a marginally significant predictor of adult word counts. Maternal depression was a moderate and significant predictor of children's vocal productivity scores and a small, marginal predictor of conversational turns. These findings have important implications for parenting and children's language outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parent adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and caregiver reports of harsh parenting were examined in relation to the executive function (EF) abilities in young low-income children. Data were collected from 55 mother–child dyads; 17–40 months of age. Parent measures included the ACEs questionnaire and harsh parenting items from the Adult Adolescent Parenting Inventory-2. Children's EF was assessed using game-like tasks to measure working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control. Harsh parenting attitudes were marginally correlated with children's cognitive flexibility. In regression analyses controlling for child age, harsh parenting attitudes predicted lower inhibitory control in children, and parent-reported ACEs predicted lower working memory scores. Findings suggest that parent ACEs and parenting attitudes may be important factors in the development of young children's EF skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]