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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Mental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 May 2023) | Viewed by 26741

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Raquel Pires

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Guest Editor

Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-115 Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: clinical and health psychology; community psychology; sexual and reproductive health (e.g., sexual and contraceptive behavior; reproductive decision-making); transition to parenthood under normative and non-normative circumstances (e.g., adolescent pregnancy; adoptive parenthood); psychological and parenting functioning; risk assessment and prediction; psychological and psychosocial mechanisms of change; preventive programs; parenting interventions; cognitive behavioral therapy; mindfulness; self-compassion; mindful parenting

Dr. Stephanie Alves

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Guest Editor

HEI-Lab, Lusófona University, 1749-024 Lisboa, Portugal
Interests: clinical and health psychology, community psychology; transition to parenthood; parents’ mental health and quality of life; couple-related processes; dyadic coping; dyadic data analysis; risk assessment and prediction in multiple domains (e.g., postpartum depression); child protection and welfare; family foster care (e.g., assessment and training of foster carers) and child adoption (e.g., post-adoption support); evidence-based practices; program development; and validation; applied research
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Parental mental health (e.g., depression, well-being) and parenting (e.g., parenting stress, sensitivity) are well-established predictors of children's development and health. However, less is known about the mechanisms contributing to parental mental health and parenting, namely under challenging circumstances. There is a lack of understanding regarding the interaction between specific dimensions of parental mental health and parenting, their contextual correlates, and the mechanisms underlying the efficacy of interventions in improving parents’ well-being, parent–child relationship, and child’s development.

In this Special Issue, we are particularly interested in original or review articles exploring new/understudied aspects of parental mental health, parenting, or the association between them (e.g., positive outcomes, psychological or psychosocial explicative mechanisms, couple-related processes, gender or dyadic analysis, COVID-19-related challenges). We are looking for conceptual and practical insights relevant to inform parenting interventions.

We strongly encourage proposals focusing on diverse forms of parenting (e.g., foster or adoptive parents), at-risk or struggling parents (e.g., community, child welfare, or clinical samples). Studies focused on protective parental factors for children’s outcomes in the presence of other parent- or child-related vulnerabilities are also welcomed. We intend to achieve an updated and comprehensive picture describing parental mental health, parenting, and its ecological correlates across a diverse range of challenging contexts.

Dr. Raquel Pires
Dr. Stephanie Alves
Guest Editors

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

parental mental health or well-being
parenting styles or positive approaches to parenting
child healthy developmen
foster or adoptive families
community, child welfare, or clinical samples
protective parental factors
parent- or child-related vulnerabilities
parenting interventions
psychological or psychosocial explicative mechanisms
couple-related, gender or dyadic processes

Published Papers (14 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 367 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Parenting, Gender, and Perception of Changes in Children’s Behavior during the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Jael Vargas-Rubilar, María Cristina Richaud, Cinthia Balabanian and Viviana Lemos

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(15), 6452; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20156452 - 27 Jul 2023

Viewed by 1226

Abstract

In a previous Argentine study, we found that, in the critical context of social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, there were changes in maternal practices that influenced the relationship with their children. We also found that the impact of mandatory isolation was moderated positively by protective factors such as positive parenting and maternal school support or negatively by risk factors such as maternal stress. Although this study only analyzed maternal behavior, we were interested in studying the behavior of both parents, comparing the parenting (positive parenting, parental stress, and school support) of the father and mother and the perceived behavioral changes in their children. A quantitative ex post facto study was carried out. The sample consisted of 120 Argentinean parents (70 mothers and 50 fathers) aged between 27 and 56 (M = 38.84; SD = 5.03). Questionnaires were administered on sociodemographic and behavioral data of the children, as well as a brief scale to assess parenting. Mann–Whitney U and MANOVA were used to analyze the influence of gender on perceived changes in children’s behavior and perceived parenting, respectively. Mothers perceived more significant changes than fathers in their children’s behavior. In addition, women reported more parental stress, greater child school support, and greater perceived positive parenting compared to men. These findings support the hypothesis that parenting developed differently in fathers and mothers. These results imply the need for psycho-educational intervention programs aimed at promoting greater involvement of fathers in parenting and better management of parental stress in mothers’ and family psychological well-being. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parenting and Mental Health)

14 pages, 675 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Diving into the Resolution Process: Parent’s Reactions to Child’s Diagnosis

by Yael Barak-Levy and Bilha Paryente

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 3295; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043295 - 13 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1369

Abstract

This research presents an in-depth observation of parental resolution regarding a child’s diagnosis with special needs to help counsellors understand the complexities of parental coping. Sixty-two parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder/Intellectual Developmental Delay participated in a Reaction to the Diagnosis Interview and a semi-structured interview. Categorical analysis revealed that 59.7% of the parents had reached resolution, with approximately 40% emotional orientation, 40% cognitive orientation, and 20% proactive orientation. Content analysis revealed three themes: emotions—feelings of guilt, shame, and emotional breakdown; thoughts—fear of stigma and concern for the child’s future; actions—concealment, seeking support, and attempts to reject the results of the diagnosis. Whereas most parents were diagnosed as having reached resolution, the content analysis still found complex subject matter suggesting lack of resolution. Research findings show that counsellors should identify the intricate emotional dynamics of parents coping while being cautious of premature coping categorization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parenting and Mental Health)

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11 pages, 536 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Psychopathology and Mindful Parenting in Parents of Preschool and School-Aged Children: The Role of Supportive Coparenting

by Daniela Mourão, Ana Fonseca and Helena Moreira

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(2), 1238; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021238 - 10 Jan 2023

Viewed by 1669

Abstract

The present study aimed to explore the mediating role of supportive coparenting in the relationship between parental psychopathology symptoms and mindful parenting and to explore whether the child’s age group moderates the associations in the model. A sample of 462 parents (94.2% mothers) of preschool and school-aged children completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Parental Perceptions of Coparenting Questionnaire, and the Interpersonal Mindfulness in Parenting Scale. A moderated mediation model was estimated to analyze the indirect effect of psychopathology symptoms on mindful parenting through supportive coparenting and the moderating role of the child’s age group. Higher levels of parental psychopathology were found to be associated both directly and indirectly (through lower levels of supportive coparenting) with lower levels of mindful parenting, regardless of the child’s age group. The results suggest that supportive coparenting is a relevant explanatory mechanism for the relationship between parental psychopathology and mindful parenting. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parenting and Mental Health)

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13 pages, 931 KiB

Open AccessArticle

“It Was Just Really Hard to Be Pregnant in a Smaller Town …”: Pregnant and Parenting Teenagers’ Perspectives of Social Support in Their Rural Communities

by Lauren Baney, Alison Greene, Catherine Sherwood-Laughlin, Jonathon Beckmeyer, Brandon L. Crawford, Frederica Jackson, Lisa Greathouse, Dechen Sangmo, Michaella Ward and Susan Kavaya

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 16906; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416906 - 16 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2914

Abstract

Teenage pregnancy has a history of being a “social problem” in the United States, with there being higher rates in rural communities. Social support, a contributor to improving mental health outcomes, can significantly impact a teenager’s pregnancy and parenting experience. Using House’s (1981) social support framework, this study explores the teenagers’ perceptions of how their rural community reacted and responded to them as pregnant and parenting teenagers. The results were formulated through the thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews (n = 26) with current and former pregnant and/or parenting teenagers. The participants reported experiencing both positive and negative social support. There were more reports of emotional support and instrumental support among the forms of positive support than there were in the other categories. Informational support was lacking. The appraisal support from community members was negative. There is a need for rural communities to develop effective social support strategies to provide positive support for pregnant and parenting teenagers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parenting and Mental Health)

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20 pages, 415 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Explaining Parenting Stress among Adoptive Parents: The Contribution of Mindfulness, Psychological Flexibility, and Self-Compassion

by Ana Luz Chorão, Maria Cristina Canavarro and Raquel Pires

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 14534; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114534 - 05 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1876

Abstract

Although parenting stress has been identified as one of the most important and highly acceptable targets for postadoption psychological intervention, knowledge regarding the modifiable factors that contribute to explaining this outcome among adoptive parents remains scarce. This study aimed to explore whether and to what extent adoptive parents’ mindfulness, psychological flexibility, and self-compassion contribute to explaining parenting stress and to analyze whether this contribution varies according to children’s age, time passed since the adoptive placement, and the parents’ gender. Cross-sectional data from 302 Portuguese adoptive parents with children between 1 and 17 years old were collected online through self-response questionnaires. Controlling for a wide range of child-, adoption-, and parent-related variables, lower levels of mindfulness, psychological flexibility, and self-compassion were associated with higher levels of parenting stress. These associations were not moderated by children’s age, time passed since the adoptive placement, or the parents’ gender. The final regression model explained 50% of the variance in parenting stress. These results allow us to reflect on new guidelines for both preventive and remedial interventions with adoptive parents, given the apparent added value of promoting these psychological resources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parenting and Mental Health)

14 pages, 621 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Parenting Styles, Mental Health, and Catastrophizing in Women with Chronic Pelvic Pain: A Case-Control Study

by Vânia Meira Siqueira-Campos, Lara Juliana Henrique Fernandes, José Miguel de Deus and Délio Marques Conde

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 13347; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013347 - 16 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1547

Abstract

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) in women is a highly prevalent condition worldwide and requires multimodal treatment. Adverse childhood experiences have been associated with CPP in women, while allodynia and poor outcomes have been linked to pain catastrophizing in these patients. Pain perception has been associated with parenting style during childhood. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between parenting style, pain catastrophizing, anxiety, depression and CPP in women. A case–control study was conducted between May 2018 and August 2021 with 123 women with CPP and 123 pain-free controls. Questionnaires were used to collect participants’ data. The association between parenting style and CPP was assessed using multiple logistic regression, with odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) being calculated. The correlation between catastrophizing, pain intensity, pain duration, anxiety, depression, and parenting style in women with CPP was assessed using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (r). A higher frequency of low maternal care (60.7% versus 45.2%; p = 0.026), anxiety (79.7% versus 56.9%; p < 0.001), depression (73.2% versus 56.1%; p = 0.008) and physical violence (31.7% versus 14.6%; p = 0.003) was found in the CPP group compared to the controls. There was no association between parenting style and CPP in the adjusted analysis. A positive correlation was found between catastrophizing and pain intensity (r = 0.342; p < 0.001), anxiety (r = 0.271; p = 0.002), depression (r = 0.272; p = 0.002), and maternal overprotection (r = 0.185; p = 0.046). A negative correlation was found between anxiety and maternal (r = −0.184; p = 0.047) and paternal (r = −0.286; p = 0.006) care and between depression and maternal (r = −0.219; p = 0.018) and paternal (r = −0.234; p = 0.026) care. The present results suggest a significant but weak association of parenting style with pain catastrophizing, the mental health of women with CPP, and the way in which they experience pain. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parenting and Mental Health)

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11 pages, 623 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mattering and Depressive Symptoms in Portuguese Postpartum Women: The Indirect Effect of Loneliness

by Bárbara Caetano, Mariana Branquinho, Maria Cristina Canavarro and Ana Fonseca

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(18), 11671; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811671 - 16 Sep 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1691

Abstract

Background: Postpartum depression is described as the most prevalent clinical condition in the postpartum period, with several negative consequences. The current study aimed to understand the relationship between mattering, loneliness and depressive symptoms in Portuguese postpartum women and to examine the potential mediating role of loneliness in the relationship between mattering and depressive symptomatology among postpartum women. Methods: This cross-sectional study included a sample collected online composed of 530 Portuguese women in the postpartum period, who answered self-report questionnaires to assess depressive symptoms, mattering, and loneliness. Results: It was found that the relationships between mattering, loneliness, and depressive symptoms were significant, p < 0.001: (a) higher levels of mattering were associated with lower levels of loneliness and depressive symptomatology and (b) higher levels of loneliness were associated with higher levels of depressive symptomatology. The relationship between mattering and postpartum depressive symptoms occurred directly and indirectly through loneliness, 95% CI = [−0.75, −0.46]. Conclusions: These results highlight the importance of studying loneliness as a possible risk factor for postpartum depression and alert to the pertinence of considering mattering and loneliness in the assessment and intervention with women in the perinatal period. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parenting and Mental Health)

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19 pages, 426 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Post-Adoption Help-Seeking in Portugal: A Comprehensive Study on Parental Difficulties and Help-Seeking Behaviors and Perceptions

by Stephanie Alves, Ana Luz Chorão, Bárbara Caetano, Margarida Rangel Henriques, Isabel Pastor and Raquel Pires

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(18), 11283; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811283 - 08 Sep 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1490

Abstract

Effective psychological parenting interventions delivered to adoptive parents may prevent serious adjustment difficulties and promote a healthy functioning; however, less is known about adoptive parents’ specific parental difficulties and help-seeking behaviors and perceptions, the understanding of which is deemed necessary to design well-informed interventions. This study aimed to describe parental difficulties, help-seeking behaviors, satisfaction with, and perceived barriers to seek, professional help, and acceptability of psychological parenting interventions among Portuguese adoptive parents. Comparisons with biological parents (Study 1) and between adoptive parents that requested adoption-specialized and non-specialized support (i.e., adoption-specialized vs. non-specialized help-seekers) (Study 2) were explored. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted. Participants were 471 adoptive and 552 biological parents of children aged under 18 years who were recruited through schools, adoption agencies, and social networks. They completed measures assessing parental difficulties, help-seeking behaviors, satisfaction with, and perceived barriers to seek, professional help, and acceptability of psychological parenting interventions. Comparison tests between the study groups, Pearson’s correlations, analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) and multivariate logistic regressions (MLR) were performed. Parents’ well-being and normative parenting challenges were the most frequent difficulties in both groups, but only associated with adoptive parents’ help-seeking. Although difficulties related to a child’s problems/parent–child relationship were more frequent among adoptive parents, adoption-related difficulties were rarely reported. Adoptive parents sought professional help more frequently, regardless of parental difficulties. Knowledge-related barriers to seeking help were the most frequent among adoptive parents. Adoption non-specialized help was less satisfactory. Acceptability of psychological parenting interventions was high, but dependent on parental difficulties. Implications for post-adoption services’ development are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parenting and Mental Health)

13 pages, 644 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Parental Attributions—Mothers’ Voices in Economically and Socially Disadvantaged Contexts

by Isabel Narciso, Sara Albuquerque, Maria Francisca Ribeiro, Luana Cunha Ferreira and Mariana Fernandes

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(15), 9205; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159205 - 27 Jul 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1268

Abstract

In the present study, the attributions of socially and economically disadvantaged mothers for their own negative parenting behavior and for their children’s undesirable behaviors as perceived by parents—understood as misbehavior—were analyzed. To this end, an exploratory study with a qualitative design was developed, in which 24 socially and economically disadvantaged mothers were individually interviewed. The data were analyzed following a thematic analysis approach, using software suited to qualitative analysis, namely NVIVO 12. The children’s undesirable behaviors as perceived by parents and some characteristics associated with parental performance (particularly the appraisal of the effectiveness of their negative practices) emerged respectively as external and internal factors, explaining mothers’ inadaptive behaviors—difficulties in behavior regulation, physical coercion, psychological control and paraverbal hostility. The parental subsystem and school emerged as the main external factors, and the psychological characteristics as the most relevant internal factors, explaining the children’s undesirable behaviors—challenge, immaturity, hostility, emotionally-based, school behavior/absenteeism and danger. The results also indicate weak self-critical reflexivity regarding some of the inadaptive behaviors. The comprehensive analysis of the results, based on the literature review, gave rise to an explanatory hypothesis on the dysfunctional circular process regarding the maintenance of inadaptive practices and children’s undesirable behaviors, considering the role played by parental attributions and by insufficient parental reflexivity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parenting and Mental Health)

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18 pages, 629 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Do Parents Perceive Practitioners to Have a Specific Role in Change? A Longitudinal Study Following Participation in an Evidence-Based Program

by Sara M. Leitão, Marco Pereira, Rita V. Santos, Maria Filomena Gaspar and Maria João Seabra-Santos

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(15), 9100; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159100 - 26 Jul 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1245

Abstract

Little attention has been given to the role of practitioners in evidence-based parenting programs and to the evaluation that parents make of their importance in the process of change. This study aims to explore the role that parents assign to the facilitators of the Incredible Years (IY) program in enabling long-term life changes, as well as the association between parents’ evaluation of the practitioners’ skills and specific changes perceived after the intervention. In this longitudinal study, we applied 1 survey to 80 community parents who had participated in an IY group 2 years before, and we retrieved archival data to assess changes in parents’ ratings of sense of competence and in children’s behaviors immediately after the end of the intervention. Two years after the intervention, parents perceived significant improvements, especially in their parenting and their children’s behaviors, and they recognized that their IY practitioners had played a significant role in these life changes. Parents who attributed a greater role to the practitioners’ skills reported a greater number of improvements in parental sense of competence and in children’s behaviors. The practitioners’ skills relating more broadly to these specific changes are the practitioners’ sensitivity and flexibility towards parents’ needs and the practitioners’ ability to clearly share knowledge with parents. The practitioner’s assigned role when implementing an evidence-based parenting program seems to go far beyond the mere conveyance of the program’s specific contents and methods and deserves to be researched further. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parenting and Mental Health)

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21 pages, 1863 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Do Improvements in Maternal Mental Health Predict Improvements in Parenting? Mechanisms of the Mindful with Your Baby Training

by Eva S. Potharst, Manon Kuijl, Daphne Wind and Susan M. Bögels

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(13), 7571; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19137571 - 21 Jun 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2026

Abstract

Postpartum mental health symptoms are associated with parenting difficulties, which have negative consequences for child development. Interventions for young mothers should target their mental health problems and parenting difficulties. Mindful with Your Baby (MwyB) is an intervention for parents, with a baby, who experience (mental) health problems and/or stress or insecurity in parenting. This study seeks to replicate previous effects of MwyB regarding mindfulness, mindful parenting, maternal (mental) health (psychological distress, depressive mood, physical health complaints) and parenting outcomes (parenting stress, parental self-efficacy, bonding), and gain insight into the working mechanisms of the training. Mothers with babies aged 1–18 months (n = 61) completed questionnaires at waitlist, pretest, posttest, and 8-week follow-up. No significant differences were seen between the waitlist and pretest. Significant improvements in all outcomes were shown in the posttest (except for physical health complaints) and follow-up, compared to the pretest. Improvements in depressive symptoms and physical health complaints were dependent on improvements in mindfulness. Improvements in parental self-efficacy were dependent on improvements in mindful parenting. Improvements in some (mental) health and parenting outcomes seemed to be bidirectional. The results suggest that both mindfulness and mindful parenting are important for mothers who experience psychological distress and/or stress or insecurity in parenting their babies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parenting and Mental Health)

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20 pages, 921 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How Do Family Court Judges Theorize about Parental Alienation? A Qualitative Exploration of the Territory

by Telma M. Marques, Isabel Narciso and Luana C. Ferreira

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(13), 7555; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19137555 - 21 Jun 2022

Viewed by 2552

Abstract

Parental alienation (PA) and its conceptualization or understanding of the process underlying this dynamic has long been controversial, but it has also been frequently brought to courtrooms. This study provides an account of how legal professionals conceptualize “parental alienation” and how they describe the characteristics of the phenomenon. Using a qualitative design, 21 family court judges (range 33–60 years; 11 men and 10 women), working with child custody cases, participated in an individual in-depth interview. A qualitative analysis based on Grounded Theory basic procedures revealed a complex picture of alienation dynamics with five interconnected results. First, PA contexts and landscapes, which included the judges’ perceptions on the PA nurturing contexts, its strategic behavior patterns and functions, portraits of PA and clues for its identification; second, considerations on PA severity; third, the influential factors, including those related to the emergence of PA; fourth, individual and relational impact of being exposed to PA; and fifth, perceived signs of change. The results also allowed for the complexification of the judges’ theories, revealing six properties of the PA concept: elasticity, intentionality and camouflage, power asymmetries, multifactorial nature, and destructiveness. Directions for future research are expanded from these results and pragmatic contributions of knowledge on judges’ critical thinking on PA issues and its manifestations in legal practice are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parenting and Mental Health)

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14 pages, 401 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Patterns of Parental Reactions to Their Children’s Negative Emotions: A Cluster Analysis with a Clinical Sample

by Ana Isabel Pereira, Catarina Santos, Luísa Barros, Magda Sofia Roberto, Joana Rato, Ana Prata and Cristina Marques

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(11), 6844; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19116844 - 03 Jun 2022

Viewed by 1862

Abstract

Parents’ emotion socialization practices are an important source of influence in the development of children’s emotional competencies This study examined parental reactions to child negative emotions in a clinical sample using a cluster analysis approach and explored the associations between clusters of parents’ reactions and children’s and parents’ adjustment. The sample comprised 80 parents of Portuguese children (aged 3–13 years) attending a child and adolescent psychiatry unit. Measures to assess parental reactions to children’s negative emotions, parents’ psychopathological symptoms, parents’ emotion dysregulation, and children’s adjustment were administered to parents. Model-based cluster analysis resulted in three clusters: low unsupportive, high supportive, and inconsistent reactions clusters. These clusters differed significantly in terms of parents’ psychopathological symptoms, emotion dysregulation, and children’s adjustment. A pattern characterized by high supportive reactions to the child’s emotions was associated with higher levels of children’s adjustment. On the other hand, an inconsistent reactions pattern was associated with the worst indicators of children’s adjustment and parental emotion dysregulation. These results suggest the importance of supporting parents of children with emotional and behavioural problems so that they can be more responsive to their children’s emotional manifestations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parenting and Mental Health)

Review

Jump to: Research

23 pages, 758 KiB

Open AccessReview

Meta-Analyses of the Relationships between Family Systems Practices, Parents’ Psychological Health, and Parenting Quality

by Carl J. Dunst

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(18), 6723; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20186723 - 07 Sep 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2205

Abstract

(1) Background: Family systems theories include assertations that both personal and environmental factors are determinants of parents’ psychological health, well-being, and parenting quality. Applied family systems theories focus on determinants that can be operationalized as intervention practices. The analyses described in this paper focused on the direct and indirect effects of four family systems practices (family needs, resources, supports, and strengths), parents’ psychological health (depression, well-being, etc.), and parenting quality (parenting beliefs, involvement, and practices) in families of children with identified disabilities, medical conditions, or at-risk conditions for poor outcomes; (2) Methods: Data from previously completed meta-analyses of the relationships between family systems practices and parents’ psychological health outcomes and parenting quality outcomes were reanalyzed. Next, a meta-analysis of the relationships between parents’ psychological health and parenting quality was completed to identify which predictors were related to which parenting quality outcomes. Both main effects and mediated effects were examined; (3) Results: The four family systems practices were each related to six different psychological health measures and three parenting quality measures. The six different parental psychological health measures were also related to the three parenting quality measures. The relationships between family systems practices and parenting quality were partially mediated by parents’ psychological health; (4) Conclusions: The effects of family systems practices and parents’ psychological health on parenting quality were primarily direct and independent. The relationships between family systems practices and parenting quality were partially mediated by parents’ psychological health. Future research should focus on the identification of other mediator variables found to be important for explaining the indirect effects of family systems practices measures on parenting beliefs, behavior, and practices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parenting and Mental Health)

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