Family Resources and Child Age Moderate the Association Between Work Stress and Parenting Stress Among Mothers Working From Home

Abstract

This study examined family resources and child age as moderators of the association between work-related stress and parenting stress among Filipino mothers working from home during COVID-19. Mothers ( N = 189) completed questionnaires measuring work-related stress, parenting stress, family resources, and child characteristics. Results showed that family resources significantly moderated the association between work-related stress and parenting stress. Higher levels of stress due to work conflicts were associated with higher levels of parenting stress at low frequency, but not at moderate and high frequency of use of family resources. Child age was also a significant moderator such that the association between work interference with leisure time and parenting stress was strongest among mothers of children aged 0–5. The findings suggest that Filipino mothers caring for young children are most vulnerable to the negative effects of work-related stress on parenting stress during COVID-19, and highlight family resources as a protective factor.