Mindful parenting and coparenting uniquely mediate the association of family economic pressure with child adjustment

Abstract

Prior research has examined the roles of family processes in the association between family economic pressure and child adjustment among Western families. Expanding on this work, this study examined whether family economic pressure was linked to child internalizing behaviours, externalizing behaviours, and school readiness among Chinese families and tested two family processes – mother mindful parenting and mindful coparenting – as mediators. Participants were 117 mothers of 2–3-year-old Chinese children (mean age = 36.2 months; 53% boys) attending 10 kindergarten/nurseries located in Hong Kong, China. Mothers completed questionnaires on family economic pressure, mindful parenting and coparenting, and child adjustment. Path analysis indicated that – controlling for child age and gender – the association of family economic pressure with child internalizing behaviours was mediated by mother mindful parenting, whereas the association of family economic pressure with child school readiness was mediated by mother mindful coparenting. On the other hand, the association of family economic pressure with child externalizing behaviours was mediated by both mother mindful parenting and coparenting. Theoretically, findings highlighted the relevance of positive family processes to understanding the potential implications of family economic pressure for younger children. Practically, findings pointed to the possible utility of targeting both mindful parenting and coparenting as means to support economically disadvantaged Chinese families and children.