Distinct Roles of Positive and Negative Maternal Mental Health in Parenting Styles and Child Development

<h3>Objective</h3> Maternal mental health significantly impacts child development, yet the role of positive maternal mental health in shaping parenting and child outcomes remains unclear. This study examined how parenting styles mediate the relation between maternal mental health and developmental outcomes in 4- to 4.5-year-old children. <h3>Method</h3> This study used data from the multiethnic Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) cohort. A total of 328 mothers, who were recruited from Singapore hospital maternity units between 2009 and 2010, had completed longitudinal postnatal assessments of their mental health and parenting and child measures in English. Maternal mental health and parenting styles were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire. Behavioral problems, school readiness, executive function, and IQ were assessed in children at 4 to 4.5 years old using validated behavioral and cognitive assessments. <h3>Results</h3> Bifactor modeling revealed 2 distinct maternal mental health factors, general affective symptoms and positive mental health. The general affective symptoms factor was positively associated with permissive and authoritarian parenting (<i>r</i> = 0.27 and 0.29, <i>p</i>s < .001), which mediated the relation to child behavioral problems. Positive mental health correlated only with authoritative parenting (<i>r</i> = 0.19, <i>p</i> < .001), which mediated improvements in child executive function, verbal and numeracy abilities, and IQ. <h3>Conclusion</h3> These findings highlight the distinct role of positive maternal mental health in fostering authoritative parenting, which in turn supports child cognitive development. Public health initiatives should prioritize promoting positive maternal mental health to enhance effective parenting and optimize child cognitive outcomes. Future research should consider paternal influences. <h3>Diversity & Inclusion Statement</h3> We worked to ensure sex and gender balance in the recruitment of human participants. We worked to ensure race, ethnic, and/or other types of diversity in the recruitment of human participants. We worked to ensure that the study questionnaires were prepared in an inclusive way. Diverse cell lines and/or genomic datasets were not available. One or more of the authors of this paper self-identifies as a member of one or more historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups in science. We actively worked to promote sex and gender balance in our author group.