Rebecca Newland|Keith A. Crnic|Martha J. Cox|W. Roger Mills?Koonce
The family model stress and maternal psychological symptoms: Mediated pathways from economic hardship to parenting.
Arizona State University|Arizona State University|University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill|University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
although much extant research lowincome families targeted parental depression predominant psychological response economic hardship current study examined range maternal psychological symptoms may mediate relations early economic pressure later parenting behaviors family stress model examined using data 1142 mothers living 2 areas high rural poverty focusing infancy toddlerhood period maternal questionnaires observations motherchild interactions collected across 4 time points 6 15 24 36 months results structural equation analyses indicated early economic pressure significantly related variety symptoms depression hostility anxiety somatization depression somatization significantly related decreased levels sensitive supportive parenting behaviors contrast anxiety positively associated sensitive parenting depression anxiety found mediate relations economic pressure sensitive parenting behaviors results suggest mothers experience change objective economic hardship time experience small decrease economic pressure discussion centers apparent indirect influence early economic hardship later psychological symptoms parenting behaviors well detailing need broader complex perspectives maternal psychological responses arise result economic disadvantage