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Maternal Parenting and Preschoolers’ Psychosocial Adjustment: A Longitudinal Study

Author

Listed:
  • Nicla Cucinella

    (Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy)

  • Rossella Canale

    (Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy)

  • Maria Valentina Cavarretta

    (Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy)

  • Sonia Ingoglia

    (Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy)

  • Nicolò Maria Iannello

    (Department of Law, University of Palermo, 90134 Palermo, Italy)

  • Cristiano Inguglia

    (Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy)

Abstract

Previous research reported that positive parenting and parenting stress might impact children’s psychosocial adjustment. The current longitudinal study aimed at evaluating the associations over time between mothers’ positive parenting, their parenting stress, and their preschoolers’ social–emotional competence and emotional–behavioral difficulties. Participants were 53 Italian mothers, aged between 24 and 47 years (M = 35.30, SD = 5.28) at T0, and their children (females = 51%), aged between 3 and 6 years (M = 4.48, SD = 0.84) at T0. Mothers completed self-report scales at 2 time points (with a 2-year lag). An autoregressive cross-lagged model was tested that had a good fit to the data, χ 2 (6) = 3.37 ns, CFI = 1.00, RMSEA = 0.00. The results showed that maternal positive parenting at T0 negatively predicted maternal parenting stress at T1; maternal parenting stress at T0 negatively predicted children’s social–emotional competence at T1. Moreover, at each time point, children’s social–emotional competence was associated positively with maternal positive parenting and negatively with maternal parenting stress; children’s emotional–behavioral difficulties were positively associated with maternal parenting stress. The results confirm that interactions with mothers are fundamental for children’s psychosocial adjustment. Implications for research and practice aimed at reducing parenting stress and fostering positive parenting are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicla Cucinella & Rossella Canale & Maria Valentina Cavarretta & Sonia Ingoglia & Nicolò Maria Iannello & Cristiano Inguglia, 2022. "Maternal Parenting and Preschoolers’ Psychosocial Adjustment: A Longitudinal Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:21:p:13750-:d:950511
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jones, D.E. & Greenberg, M. & Crowley, M., 2015. "Early social-emotional functioning and public health: The relationship between kindergarten social competence and future wellness," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 105(11), pages 2283-2290.
    2. Barboza-Salerno, Gia Elise, 2020. "Cognitive readiness to parent, stability and change in postpartum parenting stress and social-emotional problems in early childhood: A second order growth curve model," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
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