Executive Functioning Mediates the Effect of Behavioral Problems on Depression in Mothers of Children With Developmental Disabilities.
Wai Chan, Leann E Smith, Jan S Greenberg and 2 others
PMID 28095060WHAT IT FOUND
Mothers whose children had more behavioral problems showed greater executive functioning limitations, which in turn predicted higher depression scores.
This link was stronger in mothers of children with fragile X syndrome than those with autism.
Key findings
01Greater levels of child behavioral symptoms predicted more maternal depressive symptoms.
02Executive functioning limitations mediated the relationship between child behavioral symptoms and maternal depressive symptoms.
03Child behavioral symptoms had a stronger effect on executive functioning limitations in mothers of children with fragile X syndrome than in mothers of children with autism.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
All measures were based on maternal report, subject to shared method variance. The sample size of mothers of children with fragile X syndrome was small relative to the autism group. The total span of time between measurements was relatively short (3-4 years).
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that child behavioral symptoms cause maternal depression solely through direct stress. The study suggests that the impact on the mother's executive functioning is a key intermediate step, particularly for mothers of children with fragile X syndrome.