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Maternal Mind-Mindedness and Children’s Behavioral Difficulties: Mitigating the Impact of Low Socioeconomic Status

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Abstract

Relations between mothers’ tendency to comment appropriately on their 8-month-olds’ internal states (mind-mindedness) and children’s behavioral difficulties (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire) at ages 44 and 61 months were investigated in a socially diverse sample (N = 171, 88 boys). Controlling for maternal depressive symptoms, perceived social support, sensitivity, child language ability, and child gender, maternal mind-mindedness was negatively related to children’s externalizing and internalizing behaviors specifically in low socioeconomic status (SES) families. Furthermore, behavioral difficulties at age 44 months mediated the relation between maternal mind-mindedness and behavioral difficulties at age 61 months, but only for low SES families. These findings are discussed with reference to possible ways in which mind-mindedness could inform interventions targeted at at-risk groups.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by grants R000239456 and RES-000-23-1073 from the Economic and Social Research Council. We thank Bronia Arnott, Lorna Elliott, Alexandra Hearn, Beth Liddle, Lucia Vittorini, and Kathryn Parkinson for their valuable contributions to data collection and coding, and the families and children’s teachers for their generous participation

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology and Wolfson Research Institute, Durham University, Science Laboratories, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK

    Elizabeth Meins, Luna C. Muñoz Centifanti, Charles Fernyhough & Sarah Fishburn

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  1. Elizabeth Meins
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  2. Luna C. Muñoz Centifanti
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  3. Charles Fernyhough
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  4. Sarah Fishburn
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Correspondence to Elizabeth Meins.

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Meins, E., Centifanti, L.C.M., Fernyhough, C. et al. Maternal Mind-Mindedness and Children’s Behavioral Difficulties: Mitigating the Impact of Low Socioeconomic Status. J Abnorm Child Psychol 41, 543–553 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-012-9699-3

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