Maternal parenting stress and young children’s environmental adaptation: Maternal depression and children’s problem behaviors mediation
Abstract
: This study investigated the roles of maternal depression and children’s problem behaviors in the relationship between maternal parenting stress and children’s environmental adaptation by the heterogeneity of maternal stress profiles. Data from 204 Chinese mothers who completed the Parenting Stress Questionnaire, Depression Scale, Strengths & Difficulties Questionnaire, and Preschooler Kindergarten Adaptation Assessment Scale were analyzed in mother-child dyads. Results from structural equation modeling, Bayesian comparison, and latent profile analysis, yielded two significant parallel mediation pathways: behavioral and emotional. The behavioral pathway (via children’s problem behaviors) was 2.63 times stronger than the emotional pathway (via maternal depression), regarding girl children in particular. Latent profile analysis identified three distinct maternal stress types: “Low Stress-High Adaptation” (32.7%), “Behavioral Compensation” (51.1%, primary stress from child’s difficult temperament), and “Emotional Transference” (16.2%, primary stress from self-distress). The findings underscore the integrated dual-path model of family stress that parenting stress impedes child adaptation. Parent or family support interventions should be tailored behavioural coping and mental health supports for vulnerable mother and child dyads.