Structural model of children's behavioral problems based on mothers' mental health: the mediating role of emotional intelligence

Children are the national and human capital of the country. Therefore, psychological health and the examination of their psychological aspects are of great importance, meanwhile, the role of parents in this field is undeniable. The purpose of the research was to test the structural model of children's behavioral problems based on mothers' mental health, considering the mediating role of emotional intelligence.

This research was fundamental and quantitative in terms of objective and semi-quasi-correlation and structural equation modeling. The statistical population of this research included all children diagnosed with behavioral problems before elementary school in Qom province in the academic year 1401-1402. A sample of 385 mothers, who volunteered to cooperate, were included in the research from among the mentioned society. Children's behavioral problems questionnaire (Quay and Peterson), emotional intelligence questionnaire (Bar-On), and general health questionnaire (GHQ) were used to collect information. The data were analyzed by correlation matrix method and structural equation modeling.

The results showed that the indicators of the proposed model have an acceptable fit. The path of mental health to behavioral problems (β = -0.294, P = 0.000), the path of mental health to emotional intelligence (β = 0.570, P = 0.000), and the path of emotional intelligence to behavioral problems (P = 0.000), β = -0.367) is reported. Also, the mediating role of emotional intelligence was confirmed at a confidence level of 0.95.

Mothers' mental health has significant effects on children's emotional intelligence and behavioral problems, so it is recommended that the contribution of the above variables in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment is considered important, and related organizations should consider possible preventive programs.