Maternal depression and parenting stress in English-speaking Latina mothers with a history of adverse childhood experiences

Abstract

BackgroundIn the United States, Latinx populations report higher prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) compared to non-Latinx White populations. ACEs have been associated with maternal depression and parenting stress, while social support often functions as a protective factor. However, these relationships have not been adequately researched in Latinx samples. ObjectiveThis research aims to clarify the prevalence of maternal ACEs, and the relationships between ACEs, maternal depression, parenting stress, and social support among a sample of English-speaking Latina mothers. Participants and SettingParticipants were 167 English-speaking Latina mothers (average age of 29 years old) with at least one pre-kindergarten aged child recruited from 12 Title-I public elementary schools. MethodRecruitment happened as part of a quasi-experimental effectiveness trial of a universal school-based prevention program. Data from baseline assessments were analyzed using linear regression and bootstrapping was used to assess mediation. Outcome67.7% of the sample reported 1 or more ACEs. Multiple regression demonstrated that ACEs (b = 0.30, p <.001) and parenting stress (b = 0.66, p <.001) predicted depression; depression (b = 0.36, p <.001) and social support (b = -0.40, p =.025) predicted parenting stress. The effect of ACEs on parenting stress was mediated by depression (β = 0.15, 95% CI [0.063, 0.24]). The relationship between depression and parenting stress was moderated by social support (b = -0.08, p =.006). ConclusionsResults suggest that ACEs increase the likelihood of depression and parenting stress; however, social support may buffer the effects of depression on parenting stress among Latinx families, thus increasing family well-being.