Abstract
BackgroundParental anxiety and depression have been associated with changes to parent–child interactions. Although play constitutes an important part of parent–child interactions and affords critical developmental opportunities, little is known regarding how parental anxiety and depression are related to parent–child play. This is an important knowledge gap because parents play a crucial role in children’s early play experience. The purpose of the current study was to examine whether levels of maternal anxiety and depression respectively predicted frequencies of pretend play in both mothers and their children, and whether mothers’ engagement in pretend play predicted child behaviour problems two years later.MethodsPretend play in 60 mother-toddler dyads (Mage of child = 29.67 months, SD = 3.25, 41.7% girls) was assessed during home visits. Maternal anxiety and depression were assessed using self-report questionnaires. Children’s behaviour problems were rated by mothers at baseline and two years later. Hierarchical regression analyses examined concurrent associations between mother–child pretend play and maternal anxiety and depression at baseline, and longitudinal associations between baseline mother pretend play and child behavioural problems two years later.ResultsHigher maternal anxiety predicted less pretend play in mothers and children (β = − .23, BCa 95% CI: [− .018, − .001]) and β = − .22, BCa 95% CI [− .014, − .001]). Higher maternal depression predicted less child pretend play (β = − .20, BCa 95% CI [− .012, − .001]). There was evidence (albeit weak) that more mother pretend play at baseline predicted fewer child behaviour problems two years later (β = − .18, BCa 95% CI [− 62.38, 11.69]), when baseline child behaviour problems and maternal anxiety were controlled for.ConclusionsMaternal anxiety and depression are associated with less pretend play during mother–child interaction. Mother’s pretend play might help reduce child behavioural problems risks, suggesting that play might be one mechanism by which maternal mental health influences children’s development.
Highlights
Parental anxiety and depression have been associated with changes to parent–child interactions
The current study As an attempt to address the knowledge gaps discussed above, the current study examined whether mother– child pretend play was associated with maternal anxiety and depression concurrently, and associated with child behaviour problems longitudinally
The current study found that compared with mothers with lower anxiety levels, those with higher anxiety levels were less likely to engage in pretend play when interacting with their children
Summary
Parental anxiety and depression have been associated with changes to parent–child interactions. Despite being an essential part of parent–child interaction, parent–child play has mostly been used as a context to examine the above aspects of parenting behaviours (e.g., whether parents are sensitive or intrusive during play interaction with their children), rather than being investigated in its own right (e.g., whether parents engage in specific types of play such as pretend play or physical play) in relation to parental anxiety and depression This is an important gap because play has a critical role in promoting children’s cognitive, physical, social, and emotional wellbeing and building positive parent–child relationships [11]. Examining play as a dimension of parenting behaviour, has unique value in furthering our understanding of the pathways through which parental anxiety and depression affect parenting behaviours and child development
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
