Abstract
The aim of the study was to investigate predictors of maternal well-being in mothers of twins. As well as being important in its own right, maternal well-being is a crucial predictor of parenting (Belsky in Child Dev. 55(1):83, 1984). Based on previous research (Pike et al. in Int J Beh Dev. 30(1):55–66, 2006) we expected that household chaos (Confusion, Hubbub, and Order) and child behavior problems would predict maternal depression, stress and anxiety. The data for the study was taken from the Twins, Family and Behavior Study (TFaB) -- a longitudinal UK study of twins born in 2009 and 2010. One hundred and fifty-eight mothers of twins (Mchild age= 6.01 years, SDage = 0.50) reported on household chaos, child disruptive behaviors and their own well-being. Higher levels of household chaos were linked to maternal depressive, anxiety and stress related symptoms. More child behavior problems were related to more depressive and stress symptoms but not anxiety. The findings show promise for future research investigating different types of maternal well-being and suggested practical implications, such as intervening on concrete aspects of household chaos to improve maternal well-being.
Highlights
Maternal well-being is critical both for mother and child
More child behavior problems were related to more maternal depression (r = .31, p < .001), and stress (r = .31, p < .001) but not more anxiety
Socioeconomic status, maternal age, educational level and zygosity of twins were not related with maternal well-being, so we did not control for these variables in the main analysis
Summary
Maternal well-being (e.g., depression, stress and anxiety) is critical both for mother and child. The present study hypothesized that household disorganization would predict maternal well-being based on previous research [2] and further tested child behavior problems as another predictor. The aim of the study was to examine relationships between household chaos, child behavior problems and maternal well-being, and to uncover patterns of London, London, UK. We investigated whether household chaos and child behavior problems predicted maternal depression, stress and anxiety in similar or distinctive ways. Higher levels of household chaos have been related to maternal depression and stress [2], as well as with unsupportive behaviors of mothers toward their children [9]. Higher levels of household chaos and child behavior problems were hypothesized to predict higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress. We aimed to uncover possible differentiation of these aspects of maternal well-being
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