Parental depressive symptoms and child psychopathology: Effects of parenting-specific emotion regulation and emotion socialization

Objective

The study explores the associations among parental depressive symptoms, child symptoms of psychopathology, emotion socialization (ES), and parenting-specific emotion regulation (ER) using a novel measure, the Regulating Emotions in Parenting Scale (REPS).

Background

There is a notable correlation between parental depressive symptoms and symptoms of psychopathology in children. Empirical studies have also observed a correlation in the intergenerational patterns of ER, as well as their relations to ES. Investigating these relations in nonclinical samples is vital for understanding these risk factors and how they relate to child mental health.

Method

The study sample was comprised of n = 315 mothers and fathers and used a cross-sectional design. Assessments were conducted on parental depressive symptoms, child psychopathology, ES, and parenting-specific ER (REPS).

Results

Our findings revealed that parental depressive symptoms were significantly associated with all ER strategies in the parenting context. These ER strategies, in turn, were related to unsupportive ES practices, which were further related to child psychopathology. Parenting-specific ER strategies and parents' supportive ES had a significant indirect effect on the association between parental depressive symptoms and child psychopathology. However, only indirect effects through unsupportive ES and suppression and rumination were significant, not adaptive ER.

Conclusions

The study's cross-sectional correlations provide support for the role of parenting-specific ER as it relates to ES, parental, and child psychopathology.

Implications

Findings imply that how parents regulate their emotions during parenting significantly affects their ability to engage in supportive ES practices, but replication in a longitudinal framework is warranted.