Maternal BIS sensitivity, overprotective parenting, and children’s internalizing behaviors

Although sensitivity to the behavioral inhibition system (BIS) within Gray’s (1970) reinforcement sensitivity theory relates to individuals’ own depressive and anxious symptomatology, less is known about how parental BIS sensitivity relates to early indicators of internalizing problems in young children. Moreover, the extent to which this parental characteristic relates to parenting behavior, and children’s internalizing problems above and beyond parenting, remains unknown. The current study assessed maternal BIS sensitivity, overprotective parenting, and toddlers’ internalizing behaviors in a sample of 91 mothers while controlling for mothers’ own internalizing symptomatology. Heightened BIS sensitivity related to both overprotective parenting and internalizing behaviors. Overprotective parenting partially mediated the relation between BIS sensitivity and children’s internalizing behaviors, although BIS sensitivity maintained a marginal relation to internalizing behaviors. Maternal BIS sensitivity and toddler internalizing behaviors may represent a shared disposition towards inhibition that is somewhat accounted for by overprotective parenting.

► We examine maternal BIS sensitivity and toddler internalizing behaviors.
► Maternal overprotection was also examined.
► Maternal BIS related positively to toddler internalizing behaviors.
► Maternal overprotection served as a partial mediator of this relation.
► Maternal BIS related directly and indirectly to toddler internalizing behaviors.