Maternal predictors of children's mental health in low‐income families: A structural equation model

Abstract

Low-income populations are particularly susceptible to mental health problems, and the susceptibilities of family members may be interconnected. In particular, maternal factors are known to be linked to their children's outcomes. This study aims to investigate how maternal cognition, depression, and the mother-child relationship, as well as children's cognition, predict the mental health of children in low-income families. Pairs of mothers and children from families receiving governmental assistance were surveyed between January 2018 and March 2019. Korean versions of the following instruments were used: Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (children's mental health problems), Cognitive Triad Inventory for Children (children's cognition), Kerns' Security Scale (mother-child relationship), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (maternal depression), and Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire-Negative (maternal cognition). A structural equation model was used to examine how maternal cognition, depression, the mother-child relationship, and children's cognition predict children's mental health. Maternal negative cognition and depression mediated by the children's relationships with their mothers negatively predicted their cognition and mental health problems. Enhancing maternal mental health and a mother-child relationship can help improve positive cognition and mental health of children from low-income families.

Household Income and Children’s Mental Health Outcomes: The Mediating Role of Maternal Wellbeing and Parent-Child Relationship Quality

“…The first step in this hypothetical pathway is partially supported by previous studies from within the UK which have identified that the mediating role of maternal mental health problems is of particular importance in the context of economic disadvantage [14,15]. The second step is also supported by growing evidence from out-with the UK to suggest that at least some of the association between economic hardship and children's mental health outcomes may be mediated via the impact of poverty on the quality of parent-child relationships [16,17]. Specifically, several North American studies have found social welfare policies that increase household income without disrupting the amount of time parents are able to spend with their children can lead to significantly improved childhood mental health outcomes, through improving parent-child relationships [18,19].…”