The Mediating Role of Maternal Depression and Parenting Behavior in Developmental Delay Among Children of Immigrants Exposed to Adverse Family Experiences

Background & Purpose: This study explores how maternal depression and parenting behaviors mediate the impact of family stress on the developmental outcomes of children in immigrant households, focusing on cognitive, motor, and socio-emotional development. While considerable research has examined parenting and child development in Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic (WEIRD) contexts, less is known about the unique pathways linking family stress to developmental delay in culturally diverse and nontraditional family settings. This gap is particularly salient for immigrant populations. This study investigates whether maternal depression and parent-child attachment mediate the relationship between family stress and developmental outcomes, drawing from theoretical perspectives on how family stress disrupts caregiving.

Methods: The sample includes 4,950 immigrant households participating in the Parents as Teachers (PAT) home-visiting program across 41 states, with 66% of participants identifying as Hispanic and all families residing in the U.S. for five years or less. Key variables, including family stress, maternal depression, and parent-child attachment quality, were assessed at program enrollment, with longitudinal data collected on parenting behavior and child developmental outcomes. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to estimate mediation pathways from family stress to child development outcomes across cognitive, motor, and socio-emotional domains.

Results: Findings indicate that maternal depression and parenting behaviors significantly mediate the relationship between family stress and child developmental outcomes. The quality of the parent-child relationship accounted for 59% of the total effect of family stress on development (B = -0.59, p < .001), while maternal depression mediated 21% of the association (B = 0.21, p < .01). Additionally, parenting behaviors, specifically maternal warmth and sensitivity, served as important mediators, accounting for 42% and 31% of the effect, respectively (B = 0.42, p < .01; B = 0.31, p < .01). Families experiencing higher levels of family stress reported more maternal depressive symptoms and lower levels of sensitive and warm parenting, which were linked to increased developmental concerns in children.

Conclusion & Implications: This study underscores the importance of identifying modifiable caregiving practices, such as maternal mental health and parent-child relationship quality, in addressing the developmental risks associated with family stress among immigrant households. Findings highlight the potential for early childhood interventions, including home visiting programs, to target these factors and reduce the likelihood of poor developmental outcomes. Implications for trauma-informed, culturally responsive programming and policy are discussed.