The relationship of maternal characteristics and perceptions of children to children\u27s emotional and behavioral problems

This study examined the relationships among maternal depressive symptoms, parenting stress, perceptions of children, and ratings of children\u27s behavioral problems. Forty-six mothers (mean age = 31.07 years) provided ratings of these variables. Mothers were diverse in their cultural backgrounds and marital status but had a high level of educational achievement on average. Regression analyses Supported the hypothesis that mothers\u27 negative perceptions of their children mediate the relationship between maternal characteristics and maternal ratings of children\u27s behavioral problems. Further, mothers\u27 positive perceptions served as a moderator in the relationship between maternal depressive symptoms and maternal ratings of children\u27s externalizing behavioral problems. The results of this study suggest that mothers\u27 perceptions, rather than their characteristics, are related directly to ratings 4, children\u27s behavioral problems, Given these findings,, interventions should, target mothers\u27 perceptions of their children in addition to mothers\u27 psycliological symptoms and children\u27s emotional and behavioral problems