Maternal feelings of anxiety and depression and the development of self-regulation in early childhood: The role of parental support

Abstract

Many mothers of young children experience symptoms of anxiety and depression, which not only affect their own well-being, but can also influence their child’s development. Increasing evidence suggests that maternal distress is linked to difficulties in children’s emotional and behavioral self-regulation, yet the underlying mechanisms vary from study to study. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a relation between maternal feelings of anxiety and depression and the development of self-regulation in early childhood and if this association is mediated by parental support. Data were drawn from the YOUth Baby & Child cohort and the sample included 531 mothers and their children aged approximately three to six years. Maternal feelings of anxiety and depression were assessed using the Adult Self Report Questionnaire (ASR), self-regulation of the child via the Children’s Behavior Questionnaire - Short Form (CBQ-SF) and parental support with the Comprehensive Early Childhood Parenting Questionnaire (CECPAQ). Results showed that there is a significant negative relation between maternal feelings of anxiety and depression and the development of self-regulation in early childhood. In addition, the mediation analysis revealed that parental support played a mediating role in the associations between maternal feelings of anxiety and depression and child self-regulation. The findings underscore the importance of supporting maternal mental health and enhancing supportive parenting practices to promote optimal developmental outcomes in early childhood.