The Influence of Parental Mindfulness on Preschool Child Behavior Problems: A Chain-Mediated Model Analysis

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the associations between parental mindfulness and preschool child behavior problems and to investigate the mediating role of marital satisfaction and coparenting in the relationship between mindfulness and preschool child behavior problems. This was a cross-sectional study in which general sociodemographic data were obtained from 3448 parents of children in grades junior to senior of kindergarten who were assessed using instruments such as the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), the ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale (TEMSS), and the Parents’ Perceptions of the Coparenting Relationship Questionnaire (PPCR). (1) Mindfulness, preschool child behavior problems, marital satisfaction, and coparenting were significantly correlated with each other, where mindfulness was positively correlated with marital satisfaction and coparenting and significantly negatively correlated with preschool child behavior problems. (2) Mindfulness negatively predicted preschool children’s problem behaviors. (3) Marital satisfaction independently mediated the relationship between mindfulness and preschool child behavior problems. (4) Coparenting also independently mediated the relationship between mindfulness and preschool child behavior problems. (5) Marital satisfaction and coparenting play a chain-mediating role between mindfulness and preschool children’s problem behaviors. Mindfulness predicted preschool child behavior problems, with marital satisfaction and coparenting as mediators.