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. 2014 Mar 1;31(2):247-269.
doi: 10.1177/0265407513492304. Epub 2013 Jun 25.

Contributions of maternal emotional functioning to socialization of coping

Jennifer D Monti  1 , Karen D Rudolph  1 , Jamie L Abaied  2
Affiliations

Contributions of maternal emotional functioning to socialization of coping

Jennifer D Monti et al. J Soc Pers Relat. .

Abstract

This study examined whether maternal emotional functioning-emotional awareness and depression-guides the coping suggestions mothers make to their children in the context of a common childhood stressor (peer victimization). Across two waves of a longitudinal study, 330 mothers and their second graders (mean age (M) = 7.95 years, SD = .33; 158 boys and 172 girls) completed questionnaires. Emotional awareness predicted more primary control engagement suggestions (directly addressing stress or emotions). Depression predicted fewer cognitive restructuring suggestions (thinking positively) and more cognitive avoidance suggestions (orienting thoughts away from stress). Interactive effects between maternal emotional functioning and child sex also emerged. This study elucidates the impact of mothers' emotional functioning on how they teach their children to cope with stress.

Keywords: Emotional functioning; maternal depression; parenting; socialization of coping.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Effects of (a) W1 maternal emotional awareness on W2 cognitive avoidance suggestions and (b) W1 maternal depression on W2 behavioral avoidance suggestions, moderated by child sex. Analyses adjust for W1 socialization of coping. W1: Wave 1; W2: Wave 2.
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