Research article summary (published 30 Aug 2002):

How do mothers' childrearing histories, stress and parenting affect children's behavioural outcomes?

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND: Information is needed to understand the role of low to moderate levels of mothers' emotional stress and child characteristics (i.e. prematurity) on parenting behaviours and their impact on children's behaviour that might be deemed 'challenging' but not 'disordered'. METHODS: The direct and indirect relations of maternal childrearing history and emotional stress, and observed parenting practices when children were 3 years of age on 4-year child behavioural outcomes was examined in a sample of low-income families with a term (n=112) or preterm (n=180) child. Parenting practices included displays of warmth and restrictiveness when interacting with their children. Child outcomes at 4 years included observation of social initiations with their mothers and maternal report of social and attentional problems. RESULTS: A Structural Equation Model building approach guided by specific hypotheses indicated that preterm as compared to full-term children had more maternal reported social and attentional problems but did not differ in observed social initiating skills. Greater negative maternal childrearing history indirectly influenced social initiating skills through its direct influence on maternal emotional stress. Greater maternal emotional stress directly influenced mothers' parenting that, in turn, directly influenced social initiating. Prematurity and a more negative childrearing history had a direct negative influence on the maternal report of social and attentional behavioural outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: These findings delineate the effects of prematurity and maternal parenting on the behaviour of 4-year-old-children and extend current knowledge of the influence of parental emotional stress on parenting. Even milder levels can negatively influence parenting, and in turn, contribute to children's less well developed social skills. The issues raised in this study could help with the identification and prioritization of medical and psychological services.

Author information

Author/s: Assel, M A (MA); Landry, S H (SH); Swank, P R (PR); Steelman, L (L); Miller-Loncar, C (C); Smith, K E (KE);

Affiliation: The University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA. michael.a.assel(-atsign-)uth.tmc.edu

Grants: HD25128 (Agency:NICHD NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Journal: Child: care, health and development (Child Care Health Dev), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-Sep; vol 28 (issue 5) : pp 359-68

Dates: Created 2002/09/25; Completed 2002/11/29; Revised 2007/11/14;

PMID: 12296871, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: 18 Feb 2009 00:00:00)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult Attention Child Behavior Child, Preschool Female Humans Infant, Newborn Infant, Premature Longitudinal Studies

Longitudinal Studies Male Models, Psychological Mother-Child Relations Parenting Reproductive History Social Adjustment Stress, Psychological Texas

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