Abstract
This longitudinal study examined processes that mediate the association between maternal depressive symptoms and peer social
preference during the early school years. Three hundred and fifty six kindergarten children (182 boys) and their mothers participated
in the study. During kindergarten, mothers reported their level of depressive symptomatology. In first grade, teachers rated
children’s emotion regulation at school and observers rated the affective quality of mother-child interactions. During second
grade, children’s social preference was assessed by peer nomination. Results indicated that mothers’ level of depressive symptomatology
negatively predicted their child’s social preference 2 years later, controlling for the family SES and teacher-rated social
preference during kindergarten. Among European American families, the association between maternal depressive symptoms and
social preference was partially mediated by maternal warmth and the child’s emotion regulation. Although the relation between
maternal depressive symptoms and children peer preference was stronger among African American families than Europrean American
families, its mediation by the maternal warmth and child’s emotion regulation was not found in African American families.
preference during the early school years. Three hundred and fifty six kindergarten children (182 boys) and their mothers participated
in the study. During kindergarten, mothers reported their level of depressive symptomatology. In first grade, teachers rated
children’s emotion regulation at school and observers rated the affective quality of mother-child interactions. During second
grade, children’s social preference was assessed by peer nomination. Results indicated that mothers’ level of depressive symptomatology
negatively predicted their child’s social preference 2 years later, controlling for the family SES and teacher-rated social
preference during kindergarten. Among European American families, the association between maternal depressive symptoms and
social preference was partially mediated by maternal warmth and the child’s emotion regulation. Although the relation between
maternal depressive symptoms and children peer preference was stronger among African American families than Europrean American
families, its mediation by the maternal warmth and child’s emotion regulation was not found in African American families.
- Content Type Journal Article
- DOI 10.1007/s10802-010-9468-0
- Authors
- Chi-Ming Kam, Department of Psychology, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
- Mark T. Greenberg, Prevention Research Center for Promotion of Human Development, College of Health and Human Development, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA USA
- Karen L. Bierman, Department of Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA USA
- John D. Coie, Duke University, Durham, NC USA
- Kenneth A. Dodge, Duke University, Durham, NC USA
- Michael E. Foster, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC USA
- John E. Lochman, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL USA
- Robert J. McMahon, University of Washighton, Seattle, WA USA
- Ellen E. Pinderhughes, Tufts University, Medford/Somerville, MA USA
- Conduct Problems Prevention Research Group
- Journal Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
- Online ISSN 1573-2835
- Print ISSN 0091-0627