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Effects of early maternal distress and parenting on the development of children's self-regulation and externalizing behavior

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 April 2013

Daniel Ewon Choe ,
Sheryl L. Olson  and
Arnold J. Sameroff
Daniel Ewon Choe*
Affiliation:
University of Michigan
Sheryl L. Olson
Affiliation:
University of Michigan
Arnold J. Sameroff
Affiliation:
University of Michigan
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Daniel Ewon Choe, Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, 530 Church Street, 2024 East Hall, Ann Arbor, MI 48109; E-mail: [email protected].
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Abstract

Emotional distress experienced by mothers increases young children's risk of externalizing problems through suboptimal parenting and child self-regulation. An integrative structural equation model tested hypotheses that mothers’ parenting (i.e., low levels of inductive discipline and maternal warmth) would mediate adverse effects of early maternal distress on child effortful control, which in turn would mediate effects of maternal parenting on child externalizing behavior. This longitudinal study spanning ages 3, 6, and 10 included 241 children, mothers, and a subset of teachers. The hypothesized model was partially supported. Elevated maternal distress was associated with less inductive discipline and maternal warmth, which in turn were associated with less effortful control at age 3 but not at age 6. Inductive discipline and maternal warmth mediated adverse effects of maternal distress on children's effortful control. Less effortful control at ages 3 and 6 predicted smaller relative decreases in externalizing behavior at 6 and 10, respectively. Effortful control mediated effects of inductive discipline, but not maternal warmth, on externalizing behavior. Findings suggest elevated maternal distress increases children's risk of externalizing problems by compromising early parenting and child self-regulation.

Type
Regular Articles
Information
Development and Psychopathology , Volume 25 , Issue 2 , May 2013 , pp. 437 - 453
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013

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