Less than optimal parenting strategies predict maternal low-level depression beyond that of child transgressions

The relationship between less than optimal parenting styles, child transgressions and maternal depression were examined. It was predicted that variations in parenting styles would predict maternal depression over and above child transgressions. The present study involved approximately 68 children, their mothers and their preschool teachers. Participants included 36 male and 32 female children with a mean age of 50.76 months (standard deviation = 8.32), their mothers and their teachers. Mothers completed questionnaires on parenting styles and maternal depression, while teachers completed a questionnaire on children’s social behaviours. A series of hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed that less than optimal parenting (authoritarian parenting style and emotion dismissing emotional style) predicted maternal depression over and above child transgressions (aggressive, asocial, excluding, anxious and hyperactive behaviours). Additional analyses revealed that mothers who engage in less than optimal parenting strategies are likely to experience augmented levels of depression. Overall mothers’ parenting styles appear to be more salient in determining their negative moods than their children’s transgressions. Results are discussed in terms of parenting self-efficacy, learned hopelessness and directions for future research.