Poster #60 - Transactional Associations Among Maternal Depression, Family Conflict, and Child Aggression in Low-Income Families

• In Event: Poster Session 09

Abstract

Background
Research suggest that maternal depression (MD) exacerbates children's aggression (CA; Campbell et al., 2009). Similarly, family conflict (FC) has been positively linked to children’s aggression (CA; Cummings et al., 2004). Together, the extant empirical work suggests that the associations among maternal mental health, family functioning and child adjustment are bidirectional, with children also impacting mothers’ well-being and family functioning (Baker et al. 2020; Elgar et al., 2004). However, questions remain about the stability and changes in these relations over time. Guided by systems theory (Sameroff, 2009), emphasizing the transactional nature of parent-child behaviors across development, in this study, we will examine the bidirectional relations among MD, FC, and CA in low-income families across three time points spanning approximately 8 years.

Method
The participants are 2,977 low-income mothers and their children (51% boys) from the Early Head Start Research and Evaluation Project (EHSREP; ACF, 2001). Study variables were assessed over three time points: when children are approximately 3, 5 and, 11 years-old. MD was measured using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale-Short Form, (CES-D-SF; Ross et al., 1983; α =.88). FC was measured using the Family Environment Scale (FES; Moos & Moos, 1994; α =.68). Parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL; Achenbach & Rescorla, 2001; α =.88) to assess CA.

Hypothesis
First, we hypothesize that greater MD will be consistently positively associated with CA over time, and that effect will be reciprocal, with increasing CA predicting later increases in MD over time. Second, FC and CA will be reciprocally related over time, such that higher levels of FC will predict subsequently increased CA, and conversely, increased CA will predict higher FC over time. Finally, more FC will predict higher MD over time, and that effect will be reciprocal, such that increased MD will predict more FC over time.

Plan of Analysis
After examining variable distributions, missing data patterns, sample attrition, and bivariate correlations, cross-lagged panel analysis (CLPA; Selig & Little, 2012) in a structural equation modeling framework will be employed. To examine bidirectional associations between pairs of variables, a series of CLPA models will be specified. First, an autoregressive model with no cross-lagged paths where each variable will be regressed on the same variable at the previous timepoint, and within-time correlations will be specified across constructs. Second, a model with the addition of cross-lagged paths from one variable at each timepoint to the other variable at the subsequent timepoint, and a model with cross-lagged paths in the reverse direction. Finally, a bidirectional model with cross-lagged paths from each variable at one timepoint to the other variable at the subsequent timepoint. Models will be compared using nested model likelihood-ratio tests. We will control for child gender, ethnicity, and poverty status.

Implications
This study aims to extend previous research by assessing the complex interplay between maternal depression, family conflict, and child aggression over three time points using cross lagged panel models with a low-income sample to highlight the potential importance of studying these factors transactionally and over multiple developmental periods.

Authors

• Rahmet Akpolat, University of Missouri - Columbia
  Presenting Author

• Francisco Palermo, University of Missouri - Columbia

• Rachel Thibodeau-Nielsen, University of Missouri - Columbia