Riesgo Y Resiliencia: Exploring the Role of Parenting Stress and Self-efficacy on Young Latino Children’s Well-being and Home Learning Experiences during COVID-19

Abstract

ABSTRACT The current study explored the associations between parenting stress and p\\arental self-efficacy on children’s social-emotional functioning and home learning practices among Latino families. Families were recruited as part of a pilot study of a parent-focused school readiness intervention that was conducted via telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample was comprised of children (Mage = 3.02 years; 64% male) enrolled in Early Head Start, and their parents (97% biological mothers). At baseline, parents reported on family demography, parenting stress, involvement in home learning activities (i.e., literacy and math), their self-efficacy in managing a range of situations related to raising young children, and children’s social-emotional functioning. Study findings indicated that parenting stress was negatively associated with parent’s home literacy involvement, but not with home math involvement. Results also indicated that parental self-efficacy moderated the relationship between parenting stress and children’s social-emotional functioning, specifically externalizing and internalizing problems. Lastly, results indicated a positive association between parenting stress and children’s adaptive skills. Findings from the current study help elucidate our understanding of the psychological well-being of young Latino children and families during COVID-19, and will potentially inform future efforts aimed at supporting Latino parents’ well-being and children’s early learning experiences during a global health crisis.