Maternal depressive symptoms and the growth of child executive function: Mediation by maternal sensitivity.

J Fam Psychol

Department of Human Sciences, College of Education and Human Ecology, The Ohio State University.

Published: June 2023

AI Article Synopsis

Article Abstract

[Correction Notice: An Erratum for this article was reported online in on Feb 09 2023 (see record 2023-44680-001). In the original article, there were errors in the second paragraph of the Method section whereby the text "22.1% did not in Grade 3," should have read "22.1% in Grade 3," and the text "The Ohio State University)." should have read "The Ohio State University." In addition, Figure 1 was incorrect and has been replaced. All versions of this article have been corrected.] This study examined the prospective associations among the trajectories of maternal depressive symptoms, maternal sensitivity, and child executive function (EF) across early and middle childhood, and tested the mediating role of maternal sensitivity in the links between change in maternal depressive symptoms and the growth of child EF. Participants included 1,364 children and mothers from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (NICHD SECCYD). We found that maternal depressive symptoms (from 6 months to Grade 5) and sensitivity (from 36 months to Grade 5) decreased, whereas child EF (planning skills; from Grade 1 to 5) increased over time. We also found several direct associations: (a) lower maternal depressive symptoms at 36 months predicted higher sensitivity at 54 months; (b) higher sensitivity at 54 months and a faster decrease in sensitivity from 36 months to Grade 5 predicted higher child EF in Grade 1; and (c) higher sensitivity at 54 months predicted greater growth of EF from Grade 1 to 5. In addition, two mediation effects were found as follows: Lower levels of maternal depressive symptoms at 36 months predicted both higher levels of child EF in Grade 1 and greater growth of EF from Grade 1 to 5 through higher levels of maternal sensitivity at 54 months. The results suggest that early maternal depressive symptoms may have long-term effects on the growth of EF, especially planning skills, during middle childhood, and that one important pathway that maternal depressive symptoms affect child EF outcomes through maternal sensitivity. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/fam0000832DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

maternal depressive
32
depressive symptoms
32
sensitivity months
24
maternal sensitivity
20
maternal
13
symptoms months
12
months grade
12
months predicted
12
predicted higher
12
higher sensitivity
12

Similar Publications

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!