Research progress on early life protective factors for the developmental trajectories of children’s internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems

Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi. 2026 Aug 10;47(8):1527-1532. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112338-20251203-00864.

ABSTRACT

The long-term upward trend in children’s internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems has become increasingly prominent, exerting profound impacts on their physical growth and mental health, and has emerged as a major public health concern of global significance. Multiple factors, including genetics, psychosocial conditions, family environments, and early life conditions, influence these behavioral problems. Notably, the early life stage is a critical period for an individual’s physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development. The multiple protective factors inherent in this stage play a pivotal role in shaping the developmental trajectories of children’s internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems, holding promise for effective intervention approaches to address their onset and progression. This study focuses on the developmental trajectories of internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems in children aged 2 to 12 years, aiming to thoroughly explore the epidemiological associations and intervention effects between these trajectories and early life protective factors, and to elaborate on the underlying biological mechanisms. It is expected to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and intervention of children’s internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems, further promote social attention to early life protective factors and the developmental trajectories of behavioral problems, and thereby foster children’s healthy psychological development.

PMID:42618491 | DOI:10.3760/cma.j.cn112338-20251203-00864