Mindful parenting, internalized and externalized problem behaviors among children: A latent cross-lagged model

The current study aimed to investigate the cross-lagged relationships between mindful parenting and internalized problem behaviors (IPB) and externalized problem behaviors (EPB) using a longitudinal approach. This study enrolled 527 parents and children aged 9 to 13 (54% female). Children were asked to complete IPB and EPB measurements, while parents were assessed on their level of mindful parenting at three different time points. With the cross-lagged structural equation model, it indicated that EPB was significantly associated with the future decrease in IPB. However, IPB exhibited no significant predictive association with EPB five months later. Furthermore, based on the indirect correlations, a mediation model revealed that mindful parenting (T2) significantly mediated the relationship between IPB (T1) and IPB (T3), as well as the relationship between IPB (T1) and EPB (T3). These findings suggested in Chinese children, a greater amount of EBP induces more IPB. Over a longer time scale, mindful parenting plays a crucial role in the longitudinal association between IBP and EBP, as well as in the longitudinal association between IBP and future IBP.