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Does executive function mediate the path from mothers' depressive symptoms to young children's problem behaviors?


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Authors

Roman, Gabriela D 
Ensor, Rosie 

Abstract

This study investigated the mediation role played by children's executive function in the relationship between exposure to mild maternal depressive symptoms and problem behaviors. At ages 2, 3, and 6years, 143 children completed executive function tasks and a verbal ability test. Mothers completed the Beck Depression Inventory at each time-point, and teachers completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire at child age 6. Longitudinal autoregressive mediation models showed a mediation effect that was significant and quite specific; executive function (and not verbal ability) at age 3 mediated the path between mothers' depressive symptoms (but not general social disadvantage) at the first time-point and children's externalizing and internalizing problems at age 6. Improving children's executive functioning might protect them against the adverse effects of exposure to maternal depressive symptoms.

Description

Keywords

Executive function (EF), Externalizing problems, Internalizing problems, Longitudinal analysis, Maternal depression, Mediation, Child, Child Behavior, Child, Preschool, Depression, Executive Function, Female, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Mothers, Problem Behavior

Journal Title

J Exp Child Psychol

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0022-0965
1096-0457

Volume Title

142

Publisher

Elsevier BV
Sponsorship
Economic and Social Research Council (ES/D00554X/1)
This research was funded by a grant to Claire Hughes from the Economic and Social Research Council (ref: ES/D00554X/1). We thank the families who participated in the Toddlers Up study.