The Role of Maternal Personality Organization and of the p Factor in Predicting Parental Distress, the Quality of Parental Care, and Offspring’s Dysregulation Symptoms

Abstract

Background It has been posited that parental distress, the quality of maternal care and offspring’s dysregulation can be predicted by maternal maladaptive characteristics. However, only a few studies have considered mothers’ personality organizations and features of the p factor in mothers as possible predictors of symptoms in their children. Methods In a sample of N=524 subjects, this study evaluated the effect of mothers’ personality organization and of the p factor on parental distress, parental care and offspring’s dysregulation symptoms. Mothers filled out the IPO, the ASR, and the PSI-SF; children’s teachers filled out the TRF; children were administered the PBI. Results We found that different mother groups (neurotic, borderline, psychotic organization) have distinct impact on parental distress, quality of care, and children’s dysregulation, mediated by the p factor. Conclusion This study can contribute to the understanding of the key factors underpinning mothers and children’s psychopathology.