Comparison of Parenting Stress between Married Migrants and Korean Women

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare parenting stress between married migrant women and Korean women. Methods: Subjects were 68 married migrant women and 70 Korean women raising children aged seven years or younger, living in three different cities in Gangwon Do. To measure parenting stress, we used Kim’s (1997) questionnaire that had been modified from Richard & Abidin’s (1990) Parenting Stress Index (PSI). Results: There were significant differences between the two groups in age, academic credentials, job, monthly income, and achievement of maternal role. No statistically significant differences were found for parenting stress scores (p<.355), but there was a significant difference in the child characteristics of parenting stress (p<.007) between the two groups. There were no differences in the demographic variables influencing parenting stress between the two groups. Conclusion: The development of multi-cultural parenting and family support programs should consider the nationality and marital satisfaction of the family.