Associations between Sociodemographic and Behavioral Variables, and Educational Practices on Mother-Child Dyads

Abstract

The association between the sociodemographic variables of children with behavior problems and mothers with maternaldepression is widely acknowledged in the literature. However, there is a lack of studies addressing the association of thesevariables with maternal parenting practices in typical samples, i.e., children without behavior problems and mothers withoutcurrent depression indicators. The aim of this study was to identify associations between the sociodemographic variables ofchildren and mothers with the mothers’ parenting practices and children’s behavioral indicators (resources and problems)in a sample of children without behavior problems and mothers without current depression indicators. This quantitative,cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational study addressed 46 biological mothers (married or in a stable relationship)and their children. A sociodemographic questionnaire and validated instruments addressing child behavior, maternal mentalhealth, and parenting practices were applied. Findings showed that the mothers did not present mental health problems (e.g.,behavior problems or maternal depression), but a) they presented deficits of positive practices and an excess of negativepractices, and the children displayed deficits in social skills and behavior problems; b) there was an association betweenpositive practices and the children’s social skills and between negative practices and children’s behavior problems; c) thefrequency of positive and negative practices was equivalent among boys and girls, and d) boys more frequently presentedbehavior problems while school-aged children more frequently presented social skills deficits. The results indicate that evennon-clinical samples may present harmful parenting practices, excess negative practices, and deficits in positive practices.Hence, there is a need for timely interventions to prevent behavior problems among children and maternal depression arising from conflicting interactions in the parenthood sphere.