Parental Problems Research Articles

Parental education, parent-child relations and diagnosed mental disorders in childhood: prospective child cohort study.

Mental disorder in childhood is an important public health issue. We aimed to examine the prospective association between parental education at childbirth and diagnosed mental disorders in young children and explore whether this association was mediated or modified by parent-child relations in infancy. Prospective cohort study of all newborn was from 2002 to 2010 from 16 municipalities in the capital region of Copenhagen, Denmark, with follow-up until their 8th birthday, N = 40 762. Baseline data included information from national population registers and from health visitors' records at child aged 0 to 10 months. Outcome variable: any mental disorder diagnosed at hospital from age 11 months to 8 years. Low parental education was predictive of diagnosed child mental disorder, adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.83 (95% CI 1.49-2.23). Problematic parent-child relation at age 8-10 months was also predictive of mental disorder, AOR = 2.06 (1.57-2.70) but did not mediate the association between parental education and mental disorder. AOR for mental disorders was 3.24 (2.03-5.16 for the combination vocational training and problematic parent-child relation and 2.49 (1.42-4.38) for the combination primary school and problematic parent-child relation. Low parental education and problematic parent-child relation were independent risk factors for diagnosed mental disorders in the age span of 11 months to 8 years.

Parenting in poor health: Examining associations between parental health, prescription drug use, and child maltreatment

RationaleChild maltreatment and problematic parenting are related to negative outcomes for children. Poor parental health could be a risk factor for problematic parenting through several mechanisms: 1) inadequate emotional regulation and coping; 2) impairment of parental capacity; and, 3) impairment of the parent-child relationship. ObjectiveThis study examines relationships between self-rated parental health, prescription drug use, and a broad array of negative parenting outcomes. MethodsA sample of general population parents of children aged ten and younger was recruited from 30 mid-sized cities in California (n = 681). Weighted mixed-effects negative binomial and logistic regression models were used to examine associations between poor parental health, prescription drug use and child maltreatment (physical abuse, supervisory neglect, and physical neglect), and problematic parenting (psychological aggression and corporal punishment). ResultsParents in poor health used physical abuse, corporal punishment, and psychological aggression more frequently and had higher odds of supervisory neglect. Parents who were taking more prescription medications had higher odds of physical neglect. Exploratory analyses suggested that prescriptions for certain medical conditions both increased and decreased the risk of problematic parenting. ConclusionsPoor health and prescription drug use are not uncommon and present largely under-recognized risk factors for a spectrum of adverse parenting outcomes. Our study provides additional evidence that parents in poor health are at heightened risk of negative parenting, and need targeted intervention supports to support family well-being.

Social inequality in parent-infant relations: Epidemiological study of community nurse records.

Background: Some studies suggest that favourable socioeconomic circumstances are associated with better parent-child relations but the documentation of such an association is limited and inconsistent. Few studies focused on infancy, few studies relied on objective measurement of parent-infant relations, and few studies included more than one measurement of parent-infant relations in the first year of life. Aims: To report the prevalence of objectively measured problems in parent-infant relations during the first year of life and to examine the association between socioeconomic circumstances and parent-infant relations in an unselected community sample of infants. Methods: Cross-sectional study of a community sample of children from birth to 10 months in 15 municipalities in Denmark, n = 11,765. The exposure variables were population register data about socioeconomic circumstances: (a) parents' education, (b) family composition, (c) parents' origin, and (d) parents' occupational status. The outcome variable was the health visitor's concerns about the parent-infant relation assessed at four home visits from birth to 10 months after delivery. Results: The proportion of children with concerns about the parent-infant relation was 10.5%, 7.8% at one home visit and 2.8% at two or more home visits. Logistic regression analyses showed that all four indicators of socioeconomic circumstances were associated with concerns about the parent-infant relation in the first year of life. Conclusions: The risk of problematic parent-infant relations were significantly elevated among, children of immigrant parents, and children of parents with shorter education and not in education or work.

Nörogelişimsel Bozukluğu Olan Çocuklarda Davranışsal Pediatrik Besleme Değerlendirme Ölçeği'nin Türkçe Güvenirliği ve Geçerliği

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability and validity of the Behavioral Pediatrics Feeding Assessment Scale (BPFAS) in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Material and Methods: The reliability study was conducted by investigating the reliability of parallel forms and the internal consistency of the instrument. The criterion validity of BPFAS was examined by checking the correlations between the BPFAS and 'Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ)' and 'Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale'. Results: Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficients were acceptable for the subscales of the BPFAS (α>0.70). There were negative correlations between BPFAS and CEBQ subscales related to access to food, and positive correlations between BPFAS and CEBQ subscales related to food rejection (p<0.05). Positive correlations were found between emotional status of the parents and the frequency of the parent's problem behavior on one hand, as well as the frequency of poor strategy and the perception of the negative food behaviors of the child on the other hand (p=0.008; 0.034; 0.001, respectively). There was a correlation between children's weight and the increase in the frequency of negative feeding behaviors of the parents and the child (p=0.018; 0.043, respectively). Conclusion: It is concluded that the BPFAS can be used as a valid and reliable scale for children with neurodevelopmental disorders. The Turkish validity and reliability studies of the scale for different developmental disorders will make a significant contribution to the widening of its usage area.

Beyond CPS: Building a System to Protect the Safety and Basic Development of Children Experiencing Problematic Parenting

The role and scope of non-voluntary state intervention to protect children from “maltreatment” has been debated for the last 50 years. In the 1970s, many states actually narrowed the definitions of maltreatment. Yet, over the past fifty years, there has been a substantial increase in state monitoring and regulating of parents by child protection agencies (CPS). Recent studies indicate that over one-third (37.4%) of all children have been investigated by a CPS agency at least once by age 18; a majority of African American children are reported to CPS at some point in their childhood. There is consensus that current policies and services regarding maltreatment are not meeting the needs of many children. Given the failures of past reform efforts, there is a movement for substantially limiting the jurisdiction of CPS. Some commentators call for abolishing CPS entirely, which is seen as reflecting racial bias at its core, harming the children it seeks to help, undermining poor communities, and functioning in negative ways that are not amenable to reform. In this chapter, I discuss the reasons why CPS intervention should be limited to situations involving parental behaviors that cause or threaten severe harm and may be repeated. These constitute less than twenty percent of the cases now seen by CPS. Reducing the role of CPS should not, however, reduce efforts to help families where the parents are unable to provide the types of parenting needed to protect and promote the basic emotional and social development of children The chapter proposes a new system for helping parents and protecting children in most of the situations now referred to CPS, one that offers a full range of services to promote positive parenting and help parents facing barriers to providing adequate parenting. It concludes by examining a range of issues that must be addressed in designing a new system and the substantial challenges in implementing a system that truly helps parents and children.

“They’re not bad parents. They’ve just made bad choices.”: Mental health clinicians’ perspectives of parents involved with child protective services

Although psychotherapeutic treatment (e.g., counseling and therapy) is often offered to clients involved with child protective services (CPS), the existing literature includes few voices of mental health clinicians regarding their work and clients in the child welfare system. The current study seeks to address this gap by exploring clinicians’ views on the issue of child maltreatment and CPS-involved parents’ parenting. Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews revealed that clinicians acknowledged the strengths of CPS-involved parents as well as the challenges that may have made their parenting difficult. For strengths, clinicians identified parents’ desire to care for their child, motivation to improve their parenting, and commitment to their child. Identified challenges included a lack of parenting knowledge, substance use, and limited resources and support. Overall, clinicians in this study presented a balanced perspective that attended to both the “good” and the “bad” in their clients’ parenting. They viewed CPS-involved parents as more than the sum of their problematic parenting behaviors and understood incidents of child maltreatment within the parents’ contexts. At the same time, their interviews noted that a variety of individual and sociostructural challenges faced by CPS-involved parents must be addressed in order to resolve child maltreatment and prevent parents’ repeated involvement in the child protection system.

What Influences Parenting Behaviour? The Role of Parent Self-Concept

AbstractParenting has a strong influence on child development. However, there is minimal empirical evidence on why some parents use beneficial techniques, while others use harmful behaviours. Thus, there is a significant gap in the knowledge needed to address problematic parenting. Theories suggest that parental self-concept has a large influence on parenting behaviours. The aim of this study was to examine the relation between parent self-cognitions and parenting behaviours. One-hundred and four mothers of Grade 7 students completed questionnaires measuring their self-esteem, self-criticism, domain-specific self-concept, and parenting behaviours (support, behavioural control, and psychological control). Regression analyses demonstrated that self-cognitions largely predicted psychological control but support or behavioural control did not. These findings suggest that psychologically controlling behaviour in parents may be due to poor self-worth. With psychological control known to deeply damage children, these findings have major implications for interventions targeting harmful parenting.

Maternal prenatal depression, PTSD, and problematic parenting: the mediating role of maternal perceptions of infant emotion

ABSTRACT Background: Perinatal illness is alarmingly common and has negative effects on maternal and infant well-being. Depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), specifically, are characterised by negative views of the self and others, which may impact a mother’s perceptions of herself and her child. Objective: This study examined the relationship between depression and PTSD symptoms, maternal perceptions of infant emotions, and parenting behaviours. Methods: 120 pregnant, mostly low-income women and their infants (after birth) participated in a longitudinal study. Maternal depression and PTSD symptoms were assessed during pregnancy and 1 year postpartum; maternal perceptions of infant emotions and parenting quality were assessed at 1 year. Results: Correlation analyses revealed significant, negative associations between prenatal (but not postnatal) psychiatric symptoms and positive perceptions of infant emotions, as well as between positive perceptions of infant emotions and negative parenting. Results also revealed significant indirect effects of prenatal depressive and PTSD symptoms on negative parenting via perceptions of infant emotion (95% CIs:.0013 –.0200 and.0008 –.0083, respectively). Conclusion: Findings highlight that mothers should be routinely screened for psychiatric symptoms during the perinatal period, and perceptions of infant emotions may be an important target for parent-infant mental health interventions.

Constructive and destructive interparental conflict, problematic parenting practices, and children's symptoms of psychopathology.

According to spillover theory (Engfer, 1988), disruptions in one relationship (e.g., interparental) may lead to perturbations in another (e.g., parent-child), and these boundary disturbances have been linked to child psychopathology. Yet few studies have explored spillover from both constructive and destructive interparental conflict in relation to children's symptoms of psychopathology, and fewer have differentiated mothers' and fathers' parenting in these investigations. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to explore mothers' and fathers' problematic parenting practices-specifically, their inconsistent discipline, unsupportive reactions, and control through guilt-as indirect pathways between constructive and destructive interparental conflict and children's internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Two sequential mediation models were constructed-one for destructive interparental conflict and another for constructive interparental conflict-using 3 waves of data collected annually beginning when children (N = 235) were approximately 6 years old. Direct effects of the 2 models showed that constructive conflict was associated with lower levels of problematic parenting practices, whereas destructive conflict was associated with higher levels. Indirect effects findings showed that mothers' control through guilt was an explanatory mechanism between constructive and destructive interparental conflict and children's externalizing symptoms, whereas mothers' unsupportive reactions were a significant intermediary process between constructive interparental conflict and children's internalizing symptoms. Therefore, results of the current study support the spillover hypothesis and suggest that differentiating mothers' and fathers' problematic parenting practices-as well as distinguishing between constructive and destructive interparental conflict-remain important, as each can have distinct relations to child adjustment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Posttraumatic Stress and Parenting Behaviors: The Mediating Role of Emotion Regulation.

Maternal trauma has been linked with problematic parenting, including both harsh and permissive behaviors. However, little is known about mechanisms accounting for this association. The current study examined the potential impact of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and emotion regulation on dysfunctional parenting behaviors in a sample of community mothers. We hypothesized a mediation model wherein PTSD would be associated with dysfunctional parenting (i.e., lax and overreactive behaviors) indirectly through deficits in maternal emotion regulation. Seventy-eight community mothers of 18- to 36-month-old children were administered the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) and 19 mothers met criteria for PTSD. Mothers also completed self-report measures of difficulties with emotion regulation and maternal laxness and overreactivity in parenting. Results revealed that emotion dysregulation fully mediated relations between PTSD status and lax (but not overreactive) parenting behaviors. Compared to mothers without PTSD, those with PTSD reported greater lax parenting behaviors indirectly through greater emotion dysregulation. Mothers with PTSD may struggle to parent assertively when trauma symptoms interfere with emotion regulation abilities. The current study highlights the need to design interventions focused on helping trauma-exposed mothers manage distress, ultimately aiming to enhance parenting effectiveness and improve child outcomes.

Young First-Time Mothers' Parenting of Infants: The Role of Depression and Social Support.

This study examines the contributions of social support and depressive symptoms on sensitive parenting behaviors, parenting attitudes and parenting stress among first-time young mothers. Additionally, the study tests the moderating role of depression in associations between various types and sources of social support and parenting outcomes. Young (M = 17.4years), low-income, African American mothers (n = 192) were interviewed and video-recorded interacting with their 4-month-old infants. Regression analyses showed that depressive symptoms (CES-D) were associated with less sensitivity observed during mother-infant interactions, less sensitive attitudes (AAPI) and greater parenting stress (PSI), but the role of social support was more nuanced. Direct infant care support from the mother's parent figure (typically her own mother) was related to more sensitive parenting behaviors and attitudes, while general support and direct infant care support from the father of the baby were related to reduced parenting stress. Depressive symptoms moderated the relationship between general support from the parent figure and parenting outcomes. Specifically, higher levels of general support contributed to more sensitive maternal behaviors and attitudes only when depressive symptoms were low. For young mothers, their parent figure and the father of the baby can be important sources of support in promoting positive parenting and reducing parenting stress. Young mothers with depression, however, are at risk for problematic parenting and may have difficulty taking advantage of the support offered by their parent figure.

Does Level of Engagement in a Digital Parent Training Program Impact Improvements in Parenting and Child Outcomes?

Background Approximately 8% to 10% of children younger than 5 years of age experience emotional, behavioral, and social relationship problems. These children are more likely to exhibit poor social interactions, problematic parent–child relationships, and school related setbacks, thus reinforcing the need for early interventions such as parent training programs. The ezParent program is a tablet-based delivery adaptation of the group-based Chicago Parent Program, a program designed to address the needs of families raising young children in urban poverty. The growing interest in and adoption of mHealth has changed the way people receive and seek treatment and the way clinicians deliver care. Despite the usefulness of mHealth apps in helping people manage various aspects of health, people’s use of those technologies often lasts only for a short period of time. This suggests a need to delve more deeply into user behaviors. Objective The purpose of this study was to (1) classify levels of engagement by identifying individual usage of ezParent based on observed user activity (ie, “metadata”) and (2) examine whether levels of ezParent engagement is associated with changes in parenting and child behavior over time (ie, parenting stress, self-efficacy, warmth, follow through, punishment, child behavior problems and intensity). Methods This study used a single-group, pre- and posttest design with repeated measures follow-up. Survey measures were collected at baseline (T1), 12 weeks postbaseline (T2) and 24 weeks postbaseline (T3). The study included 92 parents with data collected from two pediatric primary care clinics based in two urban cities with a high proportion of low income and minority families: Chicago, Illinois (cohort 1) and Baltimore, Maryland (cohort 2). Engagement was conceptualized based on total number of modules completed, amount of time spent in the program, and number of skills saved by the parent. Each outcome variable was modeled using a separate mixed-effects model to determine the model of best fit and was analyzed across time and level of engagement. Results Overall, 78 parents logged in to the ezParent program. The data aggregation resulted in 41 parents categorized as high engagers (cohort 1 n=29; cohort 2 n=12) and 37 parents as low engagers (cohort 1 n=13; cohort 2 n=24). Significant differences were across all outcome variables: parenting stress (P&lt;.05), self-efficacy (P&lt;.05), warmth (P&lt;.05), punishment (P&lt;.05), follow-through (P&lt;.05), child behavior intensity (P&lt;.05), and child behavior problems (P&lt;.05). Although parenting outcomes improved, improvements were not significantly associated with levels of engagement. Conclusions This study provides insight into engagement of parents participating in a digitally delivered parent training program. Although level of engagement was not associated with improvements in parenting and child outcomes, we were able to systematically identify and test key usage metrics to ope rationalize engagement. This indicates that further study may help researchers identify other usage metrics more indicative of engagement. By exploring usage data, researchers, app developers, and clinicians can better understand how users engage with future tablet-based interventions.

Activity Spaces: Assessing Differences in Alcohol Exposures and Alcohol Use for Parents.

Parental alcohol use and alcohol outlet densities in residential areas are related to risk for child maltreatment. However, some parents spend significant time outside of their residential neighborhood. Thus, we may not be accurately assessing how alcohol environments are related to risks for problematic parenting. Here, we examine how residential environments and activity spaces are related to outlet density and whether drinking events in our sample of parents differ by location (e.g., routine vs. rare locations) and whether their children are present. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 60 parents living in four cities in the San Francisco Bay area who provided information on where they spent time, where they drank, and whether children were present. We constructed measures of activity spaces (e.g., convex hull polygons) and activity patterns (e.g., shortest network distance) and calculated outlet density in each. Density of alcohol outlets for residential Census tract was not related to density of the activity space and activity pattern measures. Alcohol use occurred more frequently (regardless of whether their children were present) inside activity spaces operationalized as convex hull polygons or two standard deviational ellipses. Measures that capture larger activity space areas (e.g., convex hull polygons, two standard deviational ellipses) may better model where people spend time, regardless of whether the location is routine or rare. By continuing to use activity spaces to explore relationships between outlet densities, drinking behaviors, and problems, we can start to ascertain those mechanisms by which outlets may affect local problems.

Maternal history of childhood maltreatment and later parenting behavior: A meta-analysis.

Exposure to maltreatment during childhood (CM) can have deleterious effects throughout the life span of an individual. A parent's history of child maltreatment can also impact his or her own parenting behavior. Theoretically, parents who experienced maltreatment as children may have fewer resources to cope with the challenges of childrearing and may adopt more problematic parenting behaviors. However, empirical studies examining the association between CM and later parenting behavior have yielded mixed results. The aim of this study is to conduct a meta-analysis of studies that have examined the association between exposure to CM and the subsequent parenting outcomes of mothers of 0- to 6-year-old children. A secondary aim is to examine the potential impact of both conceptual and methodological moderators. A total of 32 studies (27 samples, 41 effect sizes, 17,932 participants) were retained for analysis. Results revealed that there is a small but statistically significant association between maternal exposure to CM and parenting behavior (r = -.13, p &lt; .05). Moderator analyses revealed that effect sizes were larger when parenting measures involved relationship-based or negative, potentially abusive behaviors, when samples had a greater number of boys compared to girls, and when studies were older versus more recent. Results are discussed as they relate to the intergenerational transmission of maltreatment and abuse.

Improving Hydric Soil Identification in Areas Containing Problematic Red Parent Materials: a Nationwide Collaborative Mapping Approach

Hydric soil identification utilizes diagnostic morphologic features, including iron transformations, resulting from anaerobic conditions. However, soils derived from some red parent materials (RPM) fail to develop characteristic hydric soils morphologies, confounding hydric soil and wetland delineation. Laboratory and field methods addressing resistant RPM soils exist, but application remains limited by uncertainty regarding problematic RPM distribution. In response, a collaborative effort (>50 participants) documented problematic RPM distribution across the contiguous United States. Specifically, >1100 samples from >450 locations underwent laboratory analysis using the Color Change Propensity Index to identify problematic RPM soils. Geospatial analysis linked verified problematic soils with associated geologic units and soil series, generating maps of RPM distribution. Potential problematic RPM was identified in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, Great Lakes, South-central, and Desert Southwest-Western Mountains (problematic RPM regions herein), encompassing diverse groups of soils and parent materials. Despite the observed variability in soil characteristics, results suggest that problematic RPM was consistently derived from sedimentary, hematite-rich red bed formations developed where deposition of terrestrial sediments occurred in near-shore, marginal-marine environments. Understanding problematic RPM soils distribution promotes the appropriate application of existing hydric soil field indicators, including F21 – Red Parent Material, thus improving approaches to hydric soil identification and wetland management.

The role of parental attributions in predicting parenting intervention outcomes in the treatment of child conduct problems

BackgroundParent attributions about the causes of their children's behaviour problems are a known predictor of problematic parenting and ongoing child problems. However, their importance in parenting interventions remains unknown as research has not addressed whether parental attributions predict outcomes associated with parenting training. The current study examined whether problematic pre-treatment and change resistant parental attributions during treatment uniquely predict child behaviour outcomes. MethodParticipants were 250 families with children aged from 3 to 16 referred to specialist clinics for the treatment of conduct problems. Measures of family demographic information, parental attributions, and severity of child conduct problems were collected as part of pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up assessments. ResultsLinear regression showed that mothers' pre-treatment parental attributions uniquely predicted severity of conduct problems at the post-treatment and 3-month follow-up assessments. Fathers' pre-treatment parental attributions uniquely predicted severity of conduct problems at the 3-month follow-up assessment. Reductions in problematic pre-treatment parental attributions were recorded at post-treatment for both parents. However, smaller reductions or increases in mothers’ problematic attributions uniquely predicted worse child behaviour outcomes, a result not replicated for fathers. ConclusionsFindings that pre-treatment and change resistant parental attributions predict poorer child behaviour outcomes after controlling for other predictors and treatment effects recommend that parental attributions should be assessed prior to and after treatment and possibly included in treatment to maximise treatment gains for children with conduct problems.

Mothers and fathers in treatment for methamphetamine addiction—Parenting, parental stress, and children at risk

AbstractParents addicted to methamphetamine (“crystal meth”) are likely to be impaired in meeting parental responsibilities, and the developmental settings can be highly disadvantageous for children. Therefore, parenting by methamphetamine‐addicted mothers and fathers needs further exploration, while considering the impact on children affected by parental substance use. In our study, we analysed parenting practices and parental stress as well as children's behavioural problems using standardized assessments. The sample consisted of 87 methamphetamine‐addicted parents in recovery. We obtained data on parents' current substance use and on their psychological distress. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of children's overall problems.Parents reported high levels of parental and psychological distress, even after achieving abstinence. Especially depressive perceptions of parenthood appeared problematic. While recovering from methamphetamine addiction, parents exhibited a precarious psychosocial situation and problematic parenting behaviour. Dysfunctional parenting practices were evident in both indifferent and overreactive tendencies. Children were at risk of behavioural and emotional problems. Variables associated with parenting showed significant predictive value for children's overall problems, beyond current substance use, and psychological distress. These findings are discussed in terms of a family‐oriented perspective in order to promote parenting capabilities of methamphetamine‐addicted parents and to prevent problematic development of their children.

Trauma exposure, PTSD, and parenting in a community sample of low-income, predominantly African American mothers and children.

Trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are associated with problematic parenting and incidence of trauma and PTSD in children of affected parents. In communities impacted by frequent trauma, parenting may be particularly important to children's PTSD risk. The authors examined relationships among maternal and child trauma and mental health, as well as problematic parenting. The authors recruited 112 mother-child dyads (50 girls, 62 boys; ages 8-12 years old) from a community sample of low-income, primarily African American families. They examined rates of trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms in mothers and children, the association of maternal trauma and PTSD with self-reported child abuse potential and parenting stress (i.e., parental distress, dysfunctional parent-child interactions, and perceived child difficulty), and the impact of maternal trauma, PTSD, and parenting on child trauma and PTSD. Rates of trauma and PTSD symptoms were relatively high for mothers and children and included community and family violence. Maternal trauma and PTSD predicted child abuse potential, but only maternal PTSD predicted parental distress. Neither maternal trauma nor PTSD predicted parent-reported dysfunctional parent-child interactions or child difficulty. Maternal child abuse potential and child self-reported trauma, but not maternal trauma or PTSD, significantly predicted child self-reported PTSD. Parenting stress was not associated with child PTSD. Trauma and PTSD in parents may impact parental distress and child abuse potential, potentially increasing children's risk for not only the experience of child abuse, but also PTSD. Child and family interventions should consider child and parental trauma and PTSD as important factors to address. (PsycINFO Database Record

Paternal history of depression or anxiety disorder and infant–father attachment

AbstractPaternal depression and anxiety are important risk factors for a problematic parent–child relationship and subsequent child development. We explored the association between paternal history of depression and anxiety disorder and infant–father attachment security, taking into account the possible mediating roles of sensitivity and perceived family stress. In a sample of 94 infant–father dyads, a structured diagnostic interview and a questionnaire on family stress were administered during pregnancy. Paternal sensitivity was observed using the Ainsworth coding scales, and infant–father attachment was observed in the strange situation procedure during a lab visit at 14 months. Linear regression models were used to examine the association of father's lifetime depression or anxiety with the continuous scales for infant–father attachment security and disorganization. Father's history of depression or anxiety disorder was not significantly related to infant–father attachment security in the total sample. Interestingly, daughters of fathers with a history of depression or anxiety had higher scores on attachment security than daughters of fathers without this diagnosis. Perceived family stress and paternal sensitivity were not significant mediators. We discuss these unexpected findings, suggesting alternative mechanisms for how paternal vulnerability to depression or anxiety may be associated with the infant–father attachment relationship.Highlights We examine the association between paternal history of depression and anxiety disorder and infant‐father attachment security. In 94 infant‐father dyads, a structured diagnostic interview was administered and infant‐father attachment was observed in the Strange Situation Procedure. Daughters of fathers with a psychiatric history had higher scores on attachment security. Mechanisms of paternal vulnerability are discussed.

Effect of Parenting and Peer Stressors on Cognitive Vulnerability and Risk for Depression among Youth.

Parenting behaviors influence clinical depression among youth, but little is known about the developmental processes that may account for this association. This study investigated whether parenting is associated with the onset of clinical depression and depressive symptoms through negative cognitive style, particularly under conditions of high exposure to stressors, in a community sample of children and adolescents (N=275; 59% girls). Observational methods were used to assess positive and negative parenting during a laboratory social-evaluative stressor task. Depressive symptoms and clinical depressive episodes were repeatedly assessed over an 18-month prospective follow-up period. Results supported a conditional indirect effect in which low levels of observed positive parenting during a youth stressor task were indirectly associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing an episode of depression and worsening depressive symptoms over the course of the study through youth negative cognitive style, but only for youth who also experienced a high number of peer stressors. These findings elucidate mechanisms through which problematic parenting may contribute to risk for the development of clinical depression during the transition into and across adolescence. Implications for depression interventions are discussed.