Parents’ Self-Compassion as a Moderator Between Children’s Emotional Regulation Difficulties and Parents’ Depressive Symptoms

Abstract

Abstract Background: Recent studies suggest that children’s emotional difficulties may impact their parents’ psychological well-being, and certain protective factors could mitigate this association. The existing literature points to self-compassion as a potential protective factor against stress and difficulties. Therefore, the present study aims to analyze the protective role of parents’ self-compassion in the predictive association between children’s emotional regulation difficulties and parents’ depressive symptoms. Methods: A total of 214 children (53.3% girls) and their parents (209 mothers and 181 fathers) answered self-report questionnaires in a two-wave longitudinal study conducted over one year. A multilevel analysis was performed to examine the predictive pathways from children’s emotional regulation difficulties, parents’ self-compassion, and their interaction to parents’ depressive symptoms. Gender differences were addressed in the predictive associations. Results:Children’s emotional regulation difficulties predicted their parents’ depressive symptoms after one year, and this association was reduced by the parents’ self-compassion. No significant gender differences were found for depressive symptoms or self-compassion, and parents’ gender did not moderate any of the longitudinal associations. Limitations: The study exhibited a small sample and a lack of cultural and socioeconomic diversity. Conclusion: Children’s emotional regulation difficulties may predict a worsening of their parents’ depressive symptoms, but self-compassion mitigates this relationship.