MOTHER-CHILD-RELATIONSHIP SATISFACTION - THE ROLE OF ATTRIBUTIONS ANDTRAIT CONCEPTIONS

This study examined whether trait conceptions and causal attributions contribute independently to maternal relationship satisfaction and whe ther these two social-cognitive variables mediate satisfaction with ch ild behavior. Mothers (N = 80) reported their relationship satisfactio n, causal attributions about events occurring to their child, state mo od, and whether their child had been diagnosed with a mental disorder, and rated the child's traits. Results supported the hypothesis that t rait conceptions and causal attributions contribute independently to r elationship satisfaction. In support oi the social-cognitive mediation hypothesis, the association between child disorder and relationship d issatisfaction was fully mediated by trait conceptions and partially m ediated by attributions. Also, attributions moderated the association between trait conceptions and relationship satisfaction. Results suppo rt incorporating both trait conceptions and attributions into social-c ognitive models of relationship satisfaction and have implications for interpersonal factors in psychopathology.