The role of mediators of parenting stress, the quality of mother-child relationship and mental health of mother in the relationship between mindful parenting and behavioral problems of children

The aim of this study was to determine the mediating role of parenting stress, the quality of mother-child relationship and maternal mental health in the relationship between mindful parenting and behavioral problems in pre-school children. The research design was descriptive and correlational. The statistical population consisted of 585 mothers of pre-school children of district 3 schools in Ahwaz in 1396, in which 280 people were selected based on Cochran formula using multistage random sampling method. The instruments used in this study included MIPQ, Child Behavioral Logbook (CBCL), PSI, Child-parenting (CPRS) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). The evaluation of the proposed model was analyzed using the path analysis method. Bootstrap method was used to test indirect relationships. The results showed that immediate effect of mindful parenting on child behavior was not significant on children behavioral problems. But the direct effect of mindful parenting on the parenting stress has a significant negative effect; the direct effect of mindful parenting on mother's mental health has a significant positive effect and the direct effect of mindful parenting on the quality of mother-child relationship is positive. Also, the results showed that the role of the mediator Parenting stress, health and quality of mother-child relationship in the relationship between mindfulness parenting and behavioral problems of children is significant. According to research findings, behavioral problems of children can be influenced by the stress of parenting, health and quality of mother-child relationship.