Maternal depression, parenting and children's emotional and behavioral problems

The following research questions were investigated: What kind of impairments exist in the parenting behavior of emotionally burdened mothers as well as in the behavior of their children aged 4-7 years? What are the existing correlations between maternal depression, different aspects of parenting, and the child's emotional and behavioral problems? Which aspects of parenting mediate the relationship? Subclinically depressed mothers (N = 380) filled in standardized questionnaires about parenting behavior, perceived competence and stress, and their child's behavior. The data were compared to a normative sample (Losel et al., 2005). Children of depressed mothers showed significantly more emotional and behavioral problems. The stressed and depressed-feeling mothers showed more inappropriate parenting behavior in comparison to the normative mothers. In addition, these mothers rated themselves less competent in parenting, and they reported more parental stress. It is shown that perceived parenting competence and stress mediate the relationship of maternal depression and children's emotional and behavioral problems. The impact of the results on prevention is discussed.