The major purpose of this study was to examine the mediating effect of coping behaviors on the relationships among maternal depression, negative life events, and child adaptational outcome. Using a longitudinal predictive design, observational methodology was employed to assess 67 maternal-child coping behaviors in a structured laboratory situation involving a "cookie task" for children at age 30 months. Maternal perceived depression and negative life events were assessed at intake during pregnancy, and one and two years of the child's age. Child adaptive behaviors (assessed by Vineland) and maladaptive behaviors (assessed by Child Behavior Checklist) were assessed when the children were 3 years of age.

By using multiple regression analysis, AVOVA (one-way and two-way) and path analysis, the findings suggested: (1) Negative life events had significant positive main effects on child adaptive behaviors (by Vineland). Thus, if the family had higher levels of negative life events, the child had better adaptive behaviors; (2) Maternal depression and negative life events had significant positive main effects on child maladaptive behaviors (by CBCL). Thus, if the mother reported more severe depression or a higher level of negative events, the child had more maladaptive problems; (3) Maternal-child coping behaviors had a significant negative main effect on child maladaptive behaviors (by Child Behavior Checklist). Thus, if the mother or child had good coping behaviors, the child had less maladaptive behaviors. (4) Child coping behaviors (e.g. organization, individuation) mediate the effects of negative life events on child adaptive behaviors (by Vineland). Thus, if the child had good coping behaviors to encounter negative life events, the child's adaptive behaviors would be better than the poor coping behavior showed. This mediating effect of child coping behaviors was strongly found to encounter the higher negative life events than the lower negative life events. (5) Child coping behaviors mediate the effects of negative life events or maternal depression on the child's maladaptive behaviors (by Child Behavior Checklist). Thus, if the child had good coping behaviors to encounter negative life events or maternal depression, the child's maladaptive behaviors would be less than the poor coping behaviors did. Also, this mediating effect of child coping behaviors was strongly found to encounter the higher negative life events or more severe maternal depression than the lower negative life events or less severe maternal depression.

Finally, the results were discussed in terms of the existing literature, methodological issues, and the theoretical implications of these findings. Suggestions for future investigations in studying the stress-coping-adaptation process in relation to child developmental psychopathology were recommended.