The relationship of maternal and child illness uncertainty to child depressive symptomotology: A mediational model

Abstract

Objective To examine the relationship of parent and child ratings of illness uncertainty to depressive symptomotology in children with a chronic illness using a mediational model framework. Method: Mother-child dyads (N=103 pairs) each completed measures of perceived illness uncertainty, while youth also completed a measure of depressive symptomotology. Results: Maternal uncertainty was directly related to child depressive symptoms; however, this relationship was mediated by child uncertainty. Conclusion It would appear that a key mechanism by which parent-related uncertainty influences child depressive symptoms is through child uncertainty, underscoring the importance of examining cognitive appraisal variables and means of transmission in parent-child interactions. © 2011 The Author 2011. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Pediatric Psychology. All rights reserved.