Child-Centrism as an Adaptive Parenting Style: A Prospective Study in Motherhood from Women’s Life Satisfaction Including Cognitive–Emotional Resources

These findings highlight that higher prenatal life satisfaction indirectly fosters an adaptive form of child-centrism through maternal self-efficacy and positive affect. Integrating motherhood into a woman's sense of identity appears to be a protective factor, promoting healthier cognitive and affective parenting resources. Preventive interventions could focus on strengthening women's life satisfaction and self-efficacy early in pregnancy, thereby enhancing affective well-being and potentially leading to a more meaningful, child-centric parenting style. Further research should include broader maternal and child well-being indicators.