Maternal psychosocial maladjustment and child internalizing symptoms: Investigating the modulating role of maternal sensitivity
Article [Accepted Manuscript]
Is part of
Journal of abnormal child psychology ; vol. 45, no. 1, pp. 157-170.Abstract(s)
In light of evidence suggesting that maternal adaptation may impact early child
emotional development, this study investigated the interactive effects of
maternal psychosocial maladjustment and maternal sensitivity on child
internalizing symptoms, with the aim of investigating the potentially protective
function of maternal sensitivity. Families (N = 71 to 106 across measures, with
gender spread almost evenly: number of boys = 31 to 51 across measures) took part
in four assessments between child ages 1 and 3 years. Mothers completed measures
of parental stress, psychological distress, and marital satisfaction when their
children were between 12 and 15 months. A composite score of maternal
psychosocial maladjustment was derived from these measures. Maternal sensitivity
was rated by trained observers at 12 months following a home visit. Child
internalizing symptoms were assessed by both parents when the child was 2 and 3
years old. Hierarchical regressions revealed that increased maternal psychosocial
maladjustment was related to more internalizing symptoms in children, however
only among children of less sensitive mothers. In contrast, children of more
sensitive mothers appeared to be protected. This was observed with maternal
reports at 2 years, and both maternal and paternal reports at 3 years. These
results suggest that young children may be differentially affected by their
parents' emotional adjustment, while highlighting the pivotal protective role of
maternal sensitivity in this process.
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