Child behavior problems and maternal symptoms of depression: a mediational model.
OBJECTIVE
The relationship between maternal depression and child behavior problems has been consistently demonstrated, but not the impact of child behavior problems on maternal depression.


METHODS
Mothers of 3- to 6-year-old children (N=69) reported regarding their depression, parenting competence, attachment to the child, the child's impact on the family, and behavior problems.


RESULTS
Child behavior problems were positively associated with maternal depression, an association explained by mediating variables: impact of the child on the family, mother's parenting competence, and attachment to the child.


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal depression should be considered when providing clinical services to children, given the potential for exacerbation of symptoms in the face of child behavior problems.
Gartstein
Maria A
MA
Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, Palo Alto, CA, USA. mgartstein@wsu.edu
Sheeber
Lisa
L
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires