Association between early natural disaster exposure and temperament among Indian preadolescents.

BACKGROUND

Early developmental stages are critical for shaping later life personality traits, such as, temperament. Exposure to natural disasters, as an independent source of prenatal maternal stress, can influence child behavioural outcomes. The pioneering and the other studies on prenatal maternal stress from disasters were conducted in Western societies. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the association of exposure to a severe ND, during prenatal and early postnatal stage, with temperament in preadolescent Indian children.

METHOD: We assessed temperament using the EAS Temperament Survey in 867 Indian children aged 7-10 years, categorized by prenatal, early postnatal, or no exposure to cyclone Aila.

RESULTS

Boys exposed to Aila showed reduced activity levels, while exposed girls exhibited lower emotionality and higher sociability compared to controls, indicating sex-specific effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Early-life exposure to natural disasters is associated with distinct sex-specific temperament variations in Indian children, highlighting the role of environmental and cultural factors in developmental outcomes following prenatal and early postnatal stress.