Mental Health Problems in Young Children: The Role of Mothers' Coping and Parenting Styles and Characteristics of Family Functioning

The present study investigates the mother-related characteristics of family functioning that are associated with their children's mental health problems. The sample embraced 194 young children with symptoms of mental and behavioral disorders and their mothers. The children were diagnosed during play therapy; the mothers were examined by using standardized interviews and questionnaires which measure coping and parenting styles. Behavioral and emotional disorders were more typical for boys of younger age and are related to authoritarian or rejecting parenting styles in their mothers who underestimated the importance of emotional contacts. The mothers demonstrated maladaptive coping styles. The family environment was characterized by a focus on material values, violence and alcohol abuse situations, transgenerational stereotypes of female domination. The results indicate a dysfunctional role of mothers' coping and parenting styles in relation to their children's mental health.