Parenting Practices, Maternal Depression and Behavior Problems: Associations, Prediction and Moderation

Abstract

There are gaps in the ways in which maternal depression, educational practices and children's behavior problems are associated. The objective was to verify: (a) associations between maternal depression, parenting practices and behavior problems in this sample; (b) the isolated and combined predictive effect of maternal depression and both positive and negative parenting practices on behavior problems; and (c) the possible moderating effect of positive parenting practices in the relation between maternal depression and behavior problems. Participants were 101 biological mothers who responded to validated self-report instruments. Data were treated by univariate and multivariate regression analyses, and moderation analyses were conducted. Associations were found between negative parenting, current maternal depression and behavior problems. And the moderation of positive practices in reducing the negative impact of depression on children's behaviors was identified. Teaching positive practices is suggested to minimize risk factors for behavioral problems.