A potential pathway underlying the association between prenatal exposure to maternal psychological problems and childhood externalizing problems is child self-regulation. This prospective study (N = 687) examined whether self-regulated compliance mediates the relation between maternal affective problems and hostility during pregnancy and childhood externalizing problems, and explored moderation by child polygenic risk scores for aggression and sex. Self-regulated compliance at age 3 was observed in mother–child interactions, and externalizing problems at age 6 were reported by mothers and teachers. Polygenic risk scores were calculated based on a genome-wide association study of aggressive behavior. Self-regulated compliance mediated the associations between maternal psychological problems and externalizing problems. Aggression PRS was associated with higher externalizing problems reported by mothers. No evidence was found of moderation by aggression PRS or sex. These findings support the hypothesis that maternal psychological problems during pregnancy might influence externalizing problems through early self-regulation, regardless of child genetic susceptibility or sex.

产前暴露于母亲心理问题与儿童外化问题之间关联的潜在途径是儿童自我调节。这项前瞻性研究（N = 687）检查了自我调节的顺从性是否介导了孕期母亲情感问题和敌意以及儿童外化问题之间的关系，并探讨了儿童多基因风险评分对攻击性和性行为的调节作用。在母子互动中观察到 3 岁时的自我调节依从性，母亲和老师报告了 6 岁时的外化问题。基于攻击行为的全基因组关联研究计算多基因风险评分。自我调节的依从性介导了母亲心理问题和外化问题之间的关联。攻击性 PRS 与母亲报告的更高的外化问题有关。没有证据表明攻击性 PRS 或性别会有所缓解。