Maternal mind-mindedness and children’s behavioral difficulties: Mitigating the impact of low socioeconomic status

Meins, L.; Centifanti, L.C.M.; Fernyhough, C.; Fishburn, S.

Abstract

Relations between mothers’ tendency to comment appropriately on their 8-month-olds’ internal states (mind-mindedness) and children’s behavioral difficulties (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire) at ages 44 and 61 months were investigated in a socially diverse sample (N = 171, 88 boys). Controlling for maternal depressive symptoms, perceived social support, sensitivity, child language ability, and child gender, maternal mind-mindedness was negatively related to children’s externalizing and internalizing behaviors specifically in low socioeconomic status (SES) families. Furthermore, behavioral difficulties at age 44 months mediated the relation between maternal mind-mindedness and behavioral difficulties at age 61 months, but only for low SES families. These findings are discussed with reference to possible ways in which mind-mindedness could inform interventions targeted at at-risk groups.

Citation

Meins, L., Centifanti, L., Fernyhough, C., & Fishburn, S. (2013). Maternal mind-mindedness and children’s behavioral difficulties: Mitigating the impact of low socioeconomic status. Journal of abnormal child psychology (Dordrecht. Online), 41(4), 543-553. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-012-9699-3

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: May 1, 2013
• Deposit Date: Nov 9, 2012
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 10, 2013
• Journal: Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
• Print ISSN: 0091-0627
• Electronic ISSN: 1573-2835
• Publisher: Springer
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 41
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 543-553
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-012-9699-3
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1471190