Does Mindful Parenting Mediate the Association between Maternal Anxiety during Pregnancy and Child Behavioral/Emotional Problems?

• DOI: 10.1007/s12671-019-01115-9
• Publication Date: 2019-02-26T00:40:53Z
• Authors: Jens Henrichs; Marion I. van den...; Anke B. Witteveen; Janneke Wilschut; Bea R. H. Van den...
• Keywords: Child Behavior Checklist

Abstract Objectives Maternal anxiety during pregnancy is a risk factor for child behavioral/emotional problems. Knowledge about explanatory factors mediating this link scarce. may be an indicator of adverse postnatal environmental conditions, including maternal and poor parenting, possibly affecting behavior. This study investigated whether mindful parenting in early childhood mediate the association between Methods was based on sample 118 mother-child dyads who participated cohort that followed participants from until 4 years after birth. At 21 weeks’ gestation when old, mothers completed questionnaires to assess state (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) general (Symptom Checklist-90 subscale). age years, reported (Interpersonal Mindfulness Parenting Scale) problems (Child Behavior Checklist). Results positively associated with internalizing negatively parenting. related more externalizing but not The sequentially mediated via concurrent Conclusions These findings suggest continues into and, because this, it subsequently affects behavior Replication studies are needed before developing interventions tackling promoting