The Impact of Maternal Psychosocial Support on the Social-Emotional Development of Children in Bangladesh: A Case Study Approach

Mental well-being is crucial at every stage of life, and a child with sound mental health will reach developmental milestones on time and acquire the coping skills necessary for a healthy social life. Mothers who may be struggling with their well-being and mental health are more likely to be unable to practice positive parenting behaviors, such as warmth, sensitivity, and responsiveness (Murray, Cooper, & Kendall, 2007). These behaviors foster secure attachment and lay the foundation for a child's emotional regulation, empathy, and social skills (Van IJzendoorn, Schuengel, & Bakermans-Kranenburg, 2009). This study explored the impact of community-based psychosocial support services on mothers' well-being and mental health and the effects of this on their children’s social-emotional development. This was a qualitative study that collected data from two mothers through the case study method. Data was collected from thematic analysis of notes taken during psychosocial support (PSS) sessions, in-depth interviews with mothers, and observations of children’s behavior. Observation data focused primarily on behavioral changes in children, including emotional resilience, empathy towards others, and their relationships with other children. Findings show that mothers who had symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, concentration issues, and sleep disturbances and then received PSS sessions experienced significant improvements in emotional well-being, including reduced anxiety and depression. They also exhibited positive changes in their parenting techniques and relationship with their child, displaying increased warmth, responsiveness, and emotional availability, which fostered a secure attachment and supported the child’s social-emotional development. The children demonstrated improved emotional control and social competencies, including augmented communication, collaboration, and the practice of empathy with friends and family members, both at home and in their educational setting (play lab). The study emphasizes the significant influence of maternal mental health on the social-emotional development of young children and the necessity of incorporating psychosocial support services into community mental health programs in Bangladesh, enabling mothers to access PSS sessions for early intervention and the prevention of more severe mental health concerns. Ensuring that community mental health services are easily accessible can support children's social and emotional development from a very young age. Keywords: Psychosocial support (PSS), Social-emotional development, Empathy, positive parenting, Community mental health