Maternal dispositional mindfulness and mother–child relationship: The mediating role of emotional control during parenting

Abstract

Background

The literature supports the role of parental dispositional mindfulness on parent–child relationship quality. However, little is known about the connection between these two aspects.

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate whether emotion regulation during parenting, that is, the ability to control negative emotions, mediated the association between parental dispositional mindfulness and parent–child relationship quality. The study also explored the moderation role of child age on the association between parental dispositional mindfulness and parent's ability to control negative emotions during parenting.

Methods

Participants were 635 mothers of children aged between 12 months and 5 years. Mothers completed self-report questionnaires to measure maternal dispositional mindfulness, mother–child relationship quality and maternal control of negative emotions during parenting.

Results

Results showed that maternal ability to control negative emotions during parenting partially mediated the association between maternal dispositional mindfulness and mother–child relationship quality. Moreover, the moderation role of child age indicated that the association between maternal dispositional mindfulness and maternal ability to control negative emotions during parenting was stronger for older children's mothers.

Conclusion

Dispositional mindfulness has a protective role for the quality of parenting and the mother–child relationship. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.