The role of parental mentalizing on the link between parental depression and child emotion regulation

Background: Parental depression has consistently been shown to impact child's emotion regulation (ER), with limited research on risk and protective factors, especially in preschoolers. Grounded in Morris and colleagues' model of emotion socialization, this study addresses this gap by examining the mediating and moderating roles of parental mentalizing (reflective functioning). Aims: We aimed to explore whether pre-mentalizing modes mediate the link between parental depressive symptoms and the child's ER tendencies and whether parental interest and curiosity and parental certainty about mental states can buffer this link. Materials & Methods: The study sample included 732 parents (91% females) of children aged 3–7 years. To assess parental mentalizing, the Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire was used. Child ER skills were assessed with the Emotion Regulation Checklist, and depression was assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire. Results: Findings demonstrated a negative link between parental depressive symptoms and children's ER skills, mediated by heightened parental pre-mentalizing modes. Contrary to expectations, parental interest and curiosity did not moderate this link, but parental certainty about mental states emerged as a protective factor, weakening the link between depressive symptoms and child ER skills. Conclusion: The results contribute to the understanding of ER development, particularly in the context of parental depressive symptoms, emphasizing parental mentalizing as a pivotal factor within this intricate dynamic.