Although much of the extant research on low-income families has targeted parental depression as the predominant psychological response to economic hardship, the current study examined a range of ...maternal psychological symptoms that may mediate the relations between early economic pressure and later parenting behaviors. A family stress model was examined using data from 1,142 mothers living in 2 areas of high rural poverty, focusing on the infancy through toddlerhood period. Maternal questionnaires and observations of mother-child interactions were collected across 4 time points (6, 15, 24, and 36 months). Results from structural equation analyses indicated that early economic pressure was significantly related to a variety of symptoms (depression, hostility, anxiety, and somatization), but only depression and somatization were significantly related to decreased levels of sensitive, supportive parenting behaviors. In contrast, anxiety was positively associated with sensitive parenting. Depression and anxiety were both found to mediate the relations between economic pressure and sensitive parenting behaviors. Results further suggest that mothers did not experience change in objective economic hardship over time but did experience a small decrease in economic pressure. Discussion centers on the apparent indirect influence of early economic hardship on later psychological symptoms and parenting behaviors, as well as detailing the need for broader and more complex perspectives on maternal psychological responses that arise as a result of economic disadvantage.
Full text
Available for:
CEKLJ, FFLJ, NUK, ODKLJ, PEFLJ
•Goodness of fit between mother and infant sleep predicts maternal depression.•Mother depression mediates the link between mother/infant sleep fit and attachment.•Mothers’ perception of infant sleep ...is important for mother-infant relationships.
The current study prospectively examined the ways in which goodness of fit between maternal and infant sleep contributes to maternal depressive symptoms and the mother-child relationship across the first years of life. In a sample of 173 mother-child dyads, maternal prenatal sleep, infant sleep, maternal depressive symptoms, and mother-child attachment security were assessed via self-report, actigraphy, and observational measures. Results suggested that a poor fit between mothers’ prenatal sleep and infants’ sleep at 8 months (measured by sleep diary and actigraphy) was associated with maternal depressive symptoms at 15 months. Additionally, maternal depression mediated the association between the interplay of mother and infant sleep (measured by sleep diary) and mother-child attachment security at 30 months. Findings emphasize the importance of the match between mother and infant sleep on maternal wellbeing and mother-child relationships and highlight the role of mothers’ perceptions of infant sleep.
•Infant negativity moderates the link between maternal depression and sensitivity.•Maternal depression is linked with sensitivity when infants are more negative.•Infant interactive behaviors are ...important for understanding maternal parenting.
The current study prospectively explored infant behaviors as a moderator of the association between maternal depression and parenting sensitivity in a sample of 167 families. Maternal depression was only associated with later sensitivity for infants who displayed more negativity during mother-infant interactions.
Parental hostility may have widespread effects across members of the family, whereby one parent’s hostility might disrupt the other parent’s ability to maintain a positive relationship with his or ...her children. The present study prospectively examined crossover effects of parental hostility on parent–child relationship quality in a sample of 210 families. At child ages 3, 4, and 5, mothers and fathers completed questionnaires assessing feelings of hostility. In addition, mother–child and father–child dyadic relationship quality were coded at each age during naturalistic home observations. Results from structural equation analyses indicated that mother and father hostility were relatively stable over the 2 years period. Further, results were consistent with notions of fathering vulnerability, such that the father–child relationship might be especially susceptible to parental hostility. Possible compensatory processes, wherein mothers may compensate for father hostility, were also explored. Child and parent gender add further complexity to the results, as the father–son relationship appears most susceptible to crossover effects of parental hostility, whereas the father–daughter relationship might be somewhat protected in the early childhood period. Findings from the current investigation highlight the need for broader perspectives on family functioning, considering influences across family subsystems and the effects of both parent and child gender.
Witnessing intimate partner violence (IPV) during childhood is a risk factor for mental health problems across the lifespan. Less is known about the intergenerational consequences of witnessing IPV, ...and if the current family climate buffers intergenerational effects of witnessing violence. The mother's experience of witnessing IPV against her own mother during childhood, prenatal family dysfunction, and prenatal perceived stress were examined as predictors of offspring cortisol in the first month of life (N = 218 mother-infant dyads). Mothers reported on witnessing IPV in their childhoods, prenatal family dysfunction, and prenatal perceived stress in pregnancy. At 2 days and again at 1 month postpartum, infants engaged in a neurobehavioral exam to assess infant cortisol reactivity. Infants whose mothers witnessed IPV in childhood exhibited alterations in their baseline cortisol and their cortisol reactivity at 1 month of age, whereas family dysfunction during pregnancy was associated with baseline cortisol and cortisol reactivity at 2 days of age. Prenatal perceived stress was not associated with infant cortisol at 2 days or 1 month. Prenatal family dysfunction and perceived stress did not moderate effects of the mother's experience of witnessing IPV. Results support the view that maternal experiences in childhood and during pregnancy exert intergenerational effects on the HPA stress response system.
Pediatric settings are increasingly called upon to implement early childhood developmental and behavioral health screening as an early identification and health promotion strategy. Understanding the ...dynamic barriers and facilitators of implementation at various stages will help implementers plan for and address these factors in support of high quality implementation. Our research supported this goal by analyzing longitudinal, qualitative data. There were 128 semistructured interviews conducted with pediatric clinic and implementation providers across four years. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and synthesized using rigorous qualitative methods. Results were produced using an iterative process to summarize, analyze, and consolidate themes about screening implementation over time. Barriers and facilitators of implementation included characteristics of screening implementation as well as contextual characteristics of the pediatric primary care setting. Some implementation themes were stable over time whereas others demonstrated shifts. Results are discussed in terms of lessons learned for successfully integrating this critical preventive practice within pediatric clinics.
Full text
Available for:
CEKLJ, FFLJ, NUK, ODKLJ, PEFLJ
Although baby Noah is healthy and thriving at his one‐month well‐child visit, his pediatrician, Dr. Jones, is concerned about his mother, Carrie. Dr. Jones is also the pediatrician of Carrie's ...3‐year‐old son, Kyle, and knew Carrie to be a sensitive, caring mother. Carrie seems distant during the appointment, barely interacting with Noah or Kyle, and responding slowly and quietly to Dr. Jones' questions. She admits to feeling tired, having difficulty concentrating, and not eating much since Noah was born. When Noah begins to get fussy during the appointment, Carrie rocks him absentmindedly. While Carrie rocks Noah, Kyle starts to tantrum. Carrie looks hopeless, seemingly without the energy or confidence to manage her two boys. Dr. Jones wonders whether Carrie is simply exhausted and getting used to taking care of a new baby along with an energetic preschooler, or if she should assess for other possibilities.
PDF
