Being exposed to even common family problems during childhood could lead to mental health issues later in life, a new study has found.

UK researchers scanned the brains of teenagers aged between 17 and 19. They found that those who had experienced even mild to moderate family problems before the age of 11, had smaller cerebellums. This is the part of the brain associated with sensory-motor control, learning skills and stress regulation.

The researchers also believe that having a smaller cerebellum may increase a person's risk of experiencing mental health conditions later in life. This is because the cerebellum has been found to be smaller in almost all psychiatric illnesses.

They noted that past studies have tended to focus on the effects of major family problems, such as abuse and neglect. However, they wanted to see if more common family problems, such as arguing parents, a lack of affection, health problems or school problems, could also have an effect.

"These findings are important because exposure to adversities in childhood and adolescence is the biggest risk factor for later psychiatric disease. We show that exposure in childhood and early adolescence to even mild to moderate family difficulties, not just severe forms of abuse, neglect and maltreatment, may affect the developing adolescent brain," noted lead researcher, Dr Nicholas Walsh, of the University of East Anglia.

He said that reducing exposure to ‘adverse social environments during early life' may help with the brain's development ‘and reduce subsequent mental health risks in adult life'.

Fifty-eight teenagers had their brains scanned as part of the study, 27 of whom were classified as having experienced adversities in childhood.

"This study helps us understand the mechanisms in the brain by which exposure to problems in early-life leads to later psychiatric issues. It not only advances our understanding of how the general psychosocial environment affects brain development, but also suggests links between specific regions of the brain and individual psychosocial factors," Dr Walsh added.

Details of these findings are published in the journal, NeuroImage: Clinical.