Citation

Kidwell KM, Nelson TD, Nelson JM, Espy KA. J. Pediatr. Psychol. 2016; 42(4): 445-456.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Psychology, University of Arizona.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/jpepsy/jsw085

PMID

27694277

Abstract

OBJECTIVE : To examine maternal and child internalizing symptoms as predictors of early adolescent emotional eating in a longitudinal framework spanning three critical developmental periods (preschool, elementary school, and early adolescence).

METHODS : Participants were 170 children recruited at preschool age for a longitudinal study. When children were 5.25 years, their mothers completed ratings of their own internalizing symptoms. During the spring of 4th grade, children completed measures of internalizing symptoms. In early adolescence, youth completed a measure of emotional eating.

RESULTS : Maternal and child internalizing symptoms predicted adolescent emotional eating. The results indicated that child psychopathology moderated the association between maternal psychopathology (except for maternal anxiety) and early adolescent emotional eating. There was no evidence of mediation.

CONCLUSIONS : Pediatric psychologists are encouraged to provide early screening of, and interventions for, maternal and child internalizing symptoms to prevent children's emotional eating.

© The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Pediatric Psychology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Language: en