Multilevel Mediation: Cumulative Contextual Risk, Maternal Differential Treatment, and Children's Behavior Within Families

Abstract

This study tests the hypothesis that links between contextual risk and children's outcomes are partially explained by differential parenting. Using multi-informant measurement and including up to four children per family (Mage = 3.51, SD = 2.38) in a sample of 397 families, indirect effects (through maternal differential parenting: self-reported and observed) of cumulative contextual risk on four child outcomes were investigated. Cumulative risk was associated with higher levels of differential parenting and, in turn, with higher levels of behavioral problems. Indirect effects were strongest for attentional and social problems but also evident for aggression. The link between differential parenting and outcome was moderated by favoritism, but this was only evident for maternal report and strongest for aggression.

Cumulative contextual risk and behavior problems among children with substance using mothers: The mediating role of mothers’ and children’s coping strategies.

“…The present findings replicate previous research showing an association between cumulative risk exposure and engagement in maladaptive coping (Leitenberg, Gibson, & Novy, 2004), and also contributes to the literature by showing this association in a population whose coping strategies in the context of cumulative risk have been under-studied. The findings also support those of prior studies showing detrimental effects of cumulative risk on child outcomes through either direct or indirect links (Buehler & Gerard; 2013; Meunier et al, 2013). …”

“…Following prior studies (Buehler & Gerard, 2013; Meunier, Boyle, O'Connor, & Jenkins, 2013), in order not to mask the unique contribution of each individual risk factor, supplemental analyses were performed to examine the association between each individual risk factor, coping and problem behaviors. Regression analyses were performed using individual risk factors as predictors of behavior problems and each dimension of coping.…”

Predictors of cognitive enhancement after training in preschoolers from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds

“…In general, studies on the moderation of cognitive development by environmental factors have focused on the associations between child poverty and accumulation of risk factors (Gassman-Pines and Yoshikawa, 2006; Weiland and Yoshikawa, 2012; Flouri et al, 2013; Meunier et al, 2013). Less analytical efforts have been devoted to moderation based on risk factors in the area of intervention science.…”

Parental Sensitivity Towards Toddlers and Infant Siblings Predicting Toddler Sharing and Compliance

“…Most studies found that differential parenting leads to less compliance and prosocial behavior, and more externalizing behavior in the less favored sibling, although there is also some evidence that it may lead to more prosocial behavior in the less favored sibling (Knafo 2009). Differential parenting has also been related to more social problems in both siblings, the favored as well as less favored (Meunier et al 2013). In early childhood, sharing with siblings and compliance are central aspects of social development within the family context (Knafo and Plomin 2006;Kochanska and Aksan 2006), so differential sensitivity during toddlerhood may be especially relevant for the development of these behaviors.…”