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Family mealtime emotions and food parenting practices among mothers of young children : development of the Mealtime Emotions Measure for Parents (MEM‐P)

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White, Hannah J., Meyer, Caroline, Palfreyman, Zoe and Haycraft, Emma (2022) Family mealtime emotions and food parenting practices among mothers of young children : development of the Mealtime Emotions Measure for Parents (MEM‐P). Maternal & Child Nutrition, 18 (3). e13346. doi:10.1111/mcn.13346 ISSN 1740-8695.

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13346

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Abstract

Family mealtimes can be important for supporting children's healthy development, yet the emotional context of mealtimes can vary considerably, likely impacting their overall success and enjoyment. Yet, despite having an important role, little is known about how parents emotionally experience mealtimes with their family. The first aim of the current study was to assess the factor structure of a novel self‐report measure to assess parents’ emotional responses experienced during family mealtimes (Mealtime Emotions Measure for Parents; MEM‐P). The second aim was to examine relationships between maternal mealtime emotions and their food parenting practices. Mothers of children aged between 1.5 and 6 years participated in this study. Mothers were invited to complete an online questionnaire measuring family mealtime emotions, anxiety, depression and food parenting practices. Exploratory factor analysis produced a three‐factor solution comprising both positive and negative emotion subscales: MEM‐P Efficacy; MEM‐P Anxiety; MEM‐P Stress and Anger. Mothers' positive mealtime emotions (mealtime efficacy) were related to greater use of practices promoting autonomy, providing a healthy home food environment, and modelling healthy eating. Higher anxiety about mealtimes was related to greater reports of child control over eating, and mealtime stress and anger was associated with greater use of food to regulate emotions. These findings highlight novel relationships between how mothers emotionally experience family mealtimes and the food parenting practices they use with their children. It is important to develop resources to help promote positive maternal experiences of family mealtimes and food‐based interactions.

Item Type: Journal Article
Divisions: Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School
Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Engineering > WMG (Formerly the Warwick Manufacturing Group)
SWORD Depositor: Library Publications Router
Journal or Publication Title: Maternal & Child Nutrition
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
ISSN: 1740-8695
Official Date: July 2022
Dates:
DateEvent
July 2022Published
16 March 2022Available
21 February 2022Accepted
Volume: 18
Number: 3
Article Number: e13346
DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13346
Status: Peer Reviewed
Publication Status: Published
Access rights to Published version: Open Access (Creative Commons)
Copyright Holders: © 2022 The Authors. Maternal & Child Nutrition published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Date of first compliant deposit: 18 November 2022
Date of first compliant Open Access: 18 November 2022
Related URLs:
  • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-n...

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