Maternal Internalizing Symptoms across Infancy and Their Links to Overcontrolling Parenting

Maternal depression and anxiety were assessed from 4-12 months postpartum using a cross-lagged panel design with latent intercepts. Internalizing symptoms were highly stable, with modest reciprocal influences. Maternal anxiety predicted greater overcontrolling parenting. Depressive symptoms predicted lower overcontrolling parenting. Findings reflect connections between early maternal internalizing symptoms and caregiving.