Maternal psychological distress and appraisal of parenting experience predict social-emotional development of Kenyan infants

Abstract/Overview

This study investigated whether higher maternal psychological distress, lower provision of psychosocial stimulation and a negative appraisal of parenting experience were associated with lower cognitive, motor, social-emotional and adaptive behaviour development in children under 3 years of age in Kenya. A cross-sectional design was used, with 81 caregiver–child dyads recruited through convenience sampling. The mean age of these infants was 8.5 months (SD = 5.6 months, range 23 days to 25.5 months). Higher maternal psychological distress was associated with lower social-emotional development, but not cognitive, motor and adaptive development of a child. Psychosocial stimulation provided by mothers was not related to any developmental outcomes. Maternal psychological distress and appraisal of parenting experience were significant, unique predictors of child social-emotional development. Findings suggest that interventions designed to promote social-emotional development of young children in Kenya should target maternal mental health and enhance confidence and experience of parenting.

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APA

Watts, S (2024). Maternal psychological distress and appraisal of parenting experience predict social-emotional development of Kenyan infants. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/index.php/works/maternal-psychological-distress-and-appraisal-of-parenting-experience-predict-social-emotional-development-of-kenyan-infants

MLA 8th

Watts, Sarah "Maternal psychological distress and appraisal of parenting experience predict social-emotional development of Kenyan infants" Afribary. Afribary, 03 Oct. 2024, https://afribary.com/index.php/works/maternal-psychological-distress-and-appraisal-of-parenting-experience-predict-social-emotional-development-of-kenyan-infants. Accessed 09 Jan. 2026.

MLA7

Watts, Sarah . "Maternal psychological distress and appraisal of parenting experience predict social-emotional development of Kenyan infants". Afribary, Afribary, 03 Oct. 2024. Web. 09 Jan. 2026. < https://afribary.com/index.php/works/maternal-psychological-distress-and-appraisal-of-parenting-experience-predict-social-emotional-development-of-kenyan-infants >.

Chicago

Watts, Sarah . "Maternal psychological distress and appraisal of parenting experience predict social-emotional development of Kenyan infants" Afribary (2024). Accessed January 09, 2026. https://afribary.com/index.php/works/maternal-psychological-distress-and-appraisal-of-parenting-experience-predict-social-emotional-development-of-kenyan-infants

Maternal psychological distress and appraisal of parenting experience predict social-emotional development of Kenyan infants

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