Parenting mediates the impact of maternal depression on child internalizing symptoms.

ABSTRACT:

Background

To examine the potential mediating role of parenting behaviors in the longitudinal, bidirectional relationships between maternal depression and child internalizing symptoms (i.e. depression and anxiety).

Methods

We analyzed data from 4,581 mother-child dyads from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, assessed when the child was 3, 5, and 9 years old. Data included maternal depression diagnosis, child internalizing symptoms, and parenting behaviors (i.e. psychological aggression, nonviolent discipline, and physical assault). Data were analyzed using cross-lagged panel models.

Results

Results indicated bidirectional relationships between maternal depression and child internalizing symptoms over childhood. Mediation analyses suggested that maternal d

SUBMITTER: Kuckertz JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5760303 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature