The Legacy of Adversity? The Impact of Caregivers’ Childhood Experiences and Children’s Mental Health on Family Dynamics and Perceived Burden During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background: This cross-sectional observational study examined the relationship between caregivers’ adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), their perceived COVID-19-related bur den, child psychopathology, and changes in family relationships during the pandemic. Methods: The final sample included 285 children (M = 10.19, SD = 3.36) from clinical settings and their caregivers. Caregivers reported their own ACEs and their children’s psychopathology. Perceived caregiver COVID-19 burden and changes in family relation ships were also assessed. Correlational analyses, regressions, and mediation models were conducted to test direct and indirect associations. Results: Caregivers reported an average of 1.63 ACEs, with 18.4% reporting four or more. Children of caregivers who reported four or more ACEs exhibited significantly elevated psychopathology scores. However, caregiver ACEs did not directly predict the perceived COVID-19 burden. A mediation analysis revealed that child psychopathology mediated the association between caregiver ACEs and caregiver COVID-19 burden. Unexpectedly, higher caregiver ACEs were asso ciated with less negative perceived changes in family relationships, particularly in 2023, indicating heterogeneous family adjustment trajectories. Conclusions: These findings highlight that child psychopathology is a key mechanism in the intergenerational trans mission of caregiver burden linked to childhood adversity. They also suggest that support systems, resilience, or differing expectations among high-ACE caregivers may help buffer changes in family relationship. Early identification and trauma-informed, family-centered interventions beyond acute crisis are essential. However, limitations include the reliance on caregiver self-report and cross-sectional design. Further, longitudinal, multi-informant research is needed to clarify these dynamics and inform targeted support strategies.