The Impact of Maternal Childhood Trauma on Children's Problem Behaviors: The Mediating Role of Maternal Depression and the Moderating Role of Mindful Parenting

Overview

Journal Psychol Res Behav Manag

Publisher Dove Medical Press

Specialty Social Sciences

Date 2024 Nov 11

PMID 39526221

Authors

Xianhua Zhang

Enqin Yan

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: This study investigates the impact of maternal childhood trauma on children's problem behaviors, focusing on the mediating role of maternal depression and the moderating role of mindful parenting.

Methods: The study used a convenience sampling method to survey 385 mother-child pairs from kindergartens in Jinan, China. Data were collected in two waves, and various validated questionnaires were used to assess maternal childhood trauma, depression, mindful parenting, and children's problem behaviors.

Results: Maternal childhood trauma positively predicted children's problem behaviors. Maternal depression was found to mediate this relationship. Mindful parenting moderated the effects of maternal childhood trauma and depression on children's problem behaviors, with high levels of mindful parenting mitigating these adverse effects.

Conclusion: Maternal childhood trauma impacts children's problem behaviors both directly and indirectly through maternal depression. Mindful parenting serves as a protective factor, reducing the negative impact of maternal childhood trauma and depression on children's problem behaviors. These findings highlight the importance of interventions aimed at enhancing mindful parenting practices to improve child outcomes.

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