Women’s Health Bulletin

Current Issue

By Issue

By Author

By Subject

Author Index

Keyword Index

About Journal

Aims and Scope

Editorial Board

Publication Ethics

Authorship Rules and Regulations

Indexing and Abstracting

Peer Review Process

Forms

The Correlation Between Intensive Maternal Attitudes and Cognitive Abilities in Female Students Applying for the Gifted Exam: The Mediating Role of Maternal Mental Health

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Department of Psychology, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran

Abstract

Background: Intensive maternal parenting, while intended to foster academic achievement, has been linked to increased stress and anxiety in children. The present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of maternal mental health in the correlation between intensive maternal attitudes and cognitive abilities in female students applying for the gifted exam.
Methods: The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional approach that incorporated the use of structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques. The target population comprised all female students applying for the ninth-grade gifted exam in Tehran, Iran during 2023, along with their mothers. A convenience sample of 301 student-mother dyads participated in the study by completing a battery of self-report questionnaires. These instruments included Cognitive Abilities Questionnaire (CAQ), Intensive Parenting Attitudes Questionnaire (IPAQ), and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). The hypothesized model was evaluated using SEM, and bootstrapping was employed to assess the significance of indirect correlations. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 27 and Amos version 25.
Results: The findings indicated a negative correlation between intensive maternal attitudes and students’ cognitive capabilities (P=0.020). There was also a significant negative correlation between intensive maternal attitudes and mothers’ mental health (P=0.001). The correlation between mothers’ mental health and girls’ cognitive abilities was positive and significant (P=0.001). The correlation between intensive maternal attitudes and students’ cognitive abilities was significant through the mediating role of mental health (P=0.005).
Conclusion: Intensive maternal parenting practices were associated with decreased cognitive abilities in students and poorer mental health in mothers. The negative effect of intensive maternal attitudes on cognitive abilities appears to be indirectly mediated by mothers’ mental health.

Highlights

Reza Johari Fard: (Google Scholar)

 

 

How to Cite: Ghasempour M, Johari Fard R, Ehteshamzadeh P, Homaei R. The Correlation Between Intensive Maternal Attitudes and Cognitive Abilities in Female Students Applying for the Gifted Exam: The Mediating Role of Maternal Mental Health. Women. Health. Bull. 2024;11(3):153-162. doi: 10.30476/WHB.2024.102449.1290.

Keywords

References
  1. Subotnik RF, Olszewski-Kubilius P, Worrell FC. Rethinking Giftedness and Gifted Education: A Proposed Direction Forward Based on Psychological Science. Psychological Science in the Public Interest. 2011;12(1):3-54. doi: 10.1177/1529100611418056. ##
  2. Tjøstheim TA, Stephens A. Intelligence as Accurate Prediction. Review of Philosophy and Psychology. 2022;13(2):475-499. doi: 10.1007/s13164-021-00538-5. ##
  3. Subotnik RF, Olszewski-Kubilius P, Worrell FC. Environmental Factors and Personal Characteristics Interact to Yield High Performance in Domains. Front Psychol. 2019;10:2804. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02804. PubMed PMID: 31920847; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6930243. ##
  4. Matthews MS, Jolly JL. Why Hasn't the Gifted Label Caught up with Science? J Intell. 2022;10(4):84. doi: 10.3390/jintelligence10040084. PubMed PMID: 36278606; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC9624309. ##
  5. Pinxten WLF-v, Derksen JJL, Peters WAM. The Psychological World of Highly Gifted Young Adults: A Follow-up Study. Trends in Psychology. 2023. doi: 10.1007/s43076-023-00313-8. ##
  6. Yan K, Wei L, Bu K, Zhang J. The Effects of Gifted College Students’ Research Engagement on Their Academic Achievement: A Meta-analysis. The Asia-Pacific Education Researcher. 2024;33(2):447-58. doi: 10.1007/s40299-023-00741-1. ##
  7. Oppong S. Towards a Model of Valued Human Cognitive Abilities: An African Perspective Based on a Systematic Review. Front Psychol. 2020;11:538072. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.538072. PubMed PMID: 33343437; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7746612. ##
  8. Henke-von der Malsburg J, Kappeler PM, Fichtel C. Linking ecology and cognition: does ecological specialisation predict cognitive test performance? Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. 2020;74(12):154. doi: 10.1007/s00265-020-02923-z. ##
  9. Harvey PD. Domains of cognition and their assessment. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2019;21(3):227-237. doi: 10.31887/DCNS.2019.21.3/pharvey. PubMed PMID: 31749647; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6829170. ##
  10. Shi Y, Qu S. The effect of cognitive ability on academic achievement: The mediating role of self-discipline and the moderating role of planning. Front Psychol. 2022;13:1014655. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1014655. PubMed PMID: 36275240; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC9583534. ##
  11. Kiely KM. Cognitive Function. In: Michalos AC, editor. Encyclopedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research. Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands; 2014. p. 974-8. ##
  12. Cristofori I, Cohen-Zimerman S, Grafman J. Chapter 11 - Executive functions. In: D'Esposito M, Grafman JH, editors. Handbook of Clinical Neurology. 163: Elsevier; 2019. p. 197-219. ##
  13. Rodrigues CL, Rocca CCA, Serafim A, Santos BD, Asbahr FR. Impairment in planning tasks of children and adolescents with anxiety disorders. Psychiatry Res. 2019;274:243-246. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2019.02.049. PubMed PMID: 30818146. ##
  14. Gioia GA, Isquith PK, Guy SC, Kenworthy L. TEST REVIEW Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function. Child Neuropsychology. 2000;6(3):235-238. doi: 10.1076/chin.6.3.235.3152. ##
  15. Nesayan A, Amani M, Asadi Gandomani R. Cognitive Profile of Children and its Relationship with Academic Performance. Basic Clin Neurosci. 2019;10(2):165-174. doi: 10.32598/bcn.9.10.230. PubMed PMID: 31031903; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6484191. ##
  16. Deffaa M, Weis M, Trommsdorff G. The Role of Maternal Parenting for Children's Behavior Regulation in Environments of Risk. Front Psychol. 2020;11:2159. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.02159. PubMed PMID: 33013553; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7506104. ##
  17. Williamson T, Wagstaff DL, Goodwin J, Smith N. Mothering Ideology: A Qualitative Exploration of Mothers' Perceptions of Navigating Motherhood Pressures and Partner Relationships. Sex Roles. 2023;88(1-2):101-117. doi: 10.1007/s11199-022-01345-7. PubMed PMID: 36568897; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC9765384. ##
  18. Hays S. The Cultural Contradictions of Motherhood. New Haven, CT; London: Yale University Press; 1996. ##
  19. Verniers C, Bonnot V, Assilaméhou-Kunz Y. Intensive mothering and the perpetuation of gender inequality: Evidence from mixed methods research. Acta Psychol. 2022;227:103614. doi: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2022.103614. PubMed PMID: 35576819. ##
  20. Forbes LK, Donovan C, Lamar MR. Differences in Intensive Parenting Attitudes and Gender Norms Among U.S. Mothers. The Family Journal. 2020;28(1):63-71. doi: 10.1177/1066480719893964. ##
  21. Shonkoff JP, Fisher PA. Rethinking evidence-based practice and two-generation programs to create the future of early childhood policy. Dev Psychopathol. 2013;25(4 Pt 2):1635-53. doi: 10.1017/S0954579413000813. PubMed PMID: 24342860; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4745587. ##
  22. Liu M, Zhang T, Tang N, Zhou F, Tian Y. The Effect of Educational Expectations on Children's Cognition and Depression. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(21):14070. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192114070. PubMed PMID: 36360947; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC9655286. ##
  23. Zhao J, Wang M. Mothers' academic involvement and children's achievement: Children's theory of intelligence as a mediator. Learning and Individual Differences. 2014;35:130-136. doi: 10.1016/j.lindif.2014.06.006. ##
  24. McGrath EP, Repetti RL. Mothers' and Fathers' Attitudes Toward Their Children's Academic Performance and Children's Perceptions of Their Academic Competence. Journal of Youth and Adolescence. 2000;29(6):713-723. doi: 10.1023/A:1026460007421. ##
  25. Mills-Koonce WR, Willoughby MT, Zvara B, Barnett M, Gustafsson H, Cox MJ; Family Life Project Key Investigators. Mothers' and Fathers' Sensitivity and Children's Cognitive Development in Low-Income, Rural Families. J Appl Dev Psychol. 2015;38:1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.appdev.2015.01.001. PubMed PMID: 25954057; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4418032. ##
  26. Firk C, Konrad K, Herpertz-Dahlmann B, Scharke W, Dahmen B. Cognitive development in children of adolescent mothers: The impact of socioeconomic risk and maternal sensitivity. Infant Behav Dev. 2018;50:238-246. doi: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2018.02.002. PubMed PMID: 29448186. ##
  27. Smith TA, Kievit RA, Astle DE. Maternal mental health mediates links between socioeconomic status and child development. Curr Psychol. 2023;42(25):21967-21978. doi: 10.1007/s12144-022-03181-0. PubMed PMID: 37692883; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC10482759. ##
  28. Baniasadi T, Ranjbari S, Abedini A, Dana A, Ghorbani S. Investigation the Association of Internet Addiction with Mental Health and Physical Activity in Teenage Girls: The Mediating Role of Parental Attitude. Women Health Bull. 2022;9(4):243-250. doi: 10.30476/whb.2022.96915.1197. ##
  29. Singh S, Kshtriya S, Valk R. Health, Hope, and Harmony: A Systematic Review of the Determinants of Happiness across Cultures and Countries. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023;20(4):3306. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20043306. PubMed PMID: 36834001; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC9963575. ##
  30. Mohammadipour S, Dasht Bozorgi Z, Hooman F. Association of Distress Tolerance and Mother-Child Interaction with Children’s Behavioral Disorders in Mothers of Children with Learning Disabilities: Mediating Role of Marital Quality. Women Health Bull. 2022;9(3):181-189. doi: 10.30476/whb.2022.95929.1184. ##
  31. Lowthian E, Bedston S, Kristensen SM, Akbari A, Fry R, Huxley K, et al. Maternal Mental Health and Children’s Problem Behaviours: A Bi-directional Relationship? Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol. 2023;51(11):1611-1626. doi: 10.1007/s10802-023-01086-5. PubMed PMID: 37400731; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC10628040. ##
  32. Thomas S, Ryan NP, Byrne LK, Hendrieckx C, White V. Psychological Distress Among Parents of Children with Chronic Health Conditions and Its Association with Unmet Supportive Care Needs and Children's Quality of Life. J Pediatr Psychol. 2024;49(1):45-55. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsad074. PubMed PMID: 37840456; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC10799716. ##
  33. Loehlin JC, Beaujean Path models in factor, path, and structural equation analysis. In Latent variable models. Routledge; 2016. pp. 15-50. ##
  34. Nejati V. Cognitive Abilities Questionnaire: Development and Evaluation of Psychometric Properties. Advances in Cognitive Sciences. 2013;15(2):11-19. Persian. ##
  35. Liss M, Schiffrin HH, Mackintosh VH, Miles-McLean H, Erchull MJ. Intensive Parenting Attitudes Questionnaire (IPAQ). APA PsycTests; 2013. doi: 10.1037/t65772-000. ##
  36. Morowatisharifabad MA, Khankolabi M, Gerami MH, Fallahzade H, Mozaffari-khosravi H, Seadatee-Shamir A. Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of Parenting Style and Dimensions Questionnaire: Application for Children`s Health-related Behaviors. International Journal of Pediatrics. 2016;4(9):3373-3380. doi: 10.22038/ijp.2016.7318. ##
  37. Goldberg DP, Hillier VF. A scaled version of the General Health Questionnaire. Psychol Med. 1979;9(1):139-45. doi: 10.1017/S0033291700021644. PubMed PMID: 424481. ##
  38. Malakouti SK, Fatollahi P, Mirabzadeh A, Zandi T. Reliability, validity and factor structure of the GHQ-28 used among elderly Iranians. Int Psychogeriatr. 2007;19(4):623-34. doi: 10.1017/S1041610206004522. PubMed PMID: 17069666. ##
  39. Sajedi F, Ahmadi Doulabi M, Vameghi R, Mazaheri MA, Akbarzadehbaghban A. Relationship of Mothers' Psychological Status with Development of Kindergarten Children. Iran J Child Neurol. 2016;10(3):61-72. PubMed PMID: 27375758; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4928618. ##
  40. Budds K, Hogg MK, Banister EN, Dixon M. Parenting agendas: An empirical study of intensive mothering and infant cognitive development. The Sociological Review. 2016;65(2):336-52. doi: 10.1177/0038026116672812. ##
  41. Yaribeygi H, Panahi Y, Sahraei H, Johnston TP, Sahebkar A. The impact of stress on body function: A review. EXCLI J. 2017;16:1057-1072. doi: 10.17179/excli2017-480. PubMed PMID: 28900385; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5579396. ##
  42. Tong P, An IS. Review of studies applying Bronfenbrenner's bioecological theory in international and intercultural education research. Front Psychol. 2024;14:1233925. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1233925. PubMed PMID: 38259539; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC10801006. ##
Women’s Health Bulletin
Volume 11, Issue 3 - Serial Number 43
July 2024
Pages 153-162
Files
Share
How to cite
Statistics