Parental Scale Research Articles

Investigating Factors Associated With Stress in Guardians of Dogs Under 12 Months of Age

ABSTRACT Similar to parenting, raising a puppy can be stressful for guardians; however, this aspect of the guardian experience has received limited research attention. This study sought to fill the gap in understanding the stress experienced by puppy guardians and shed light on the factors influencing stress levels. An online survey was developed for guardians of dogs under 12 months of age and made available worldwide. A validated instrument (Parental Stress Scale) was modified to suit “parenting” of dogs and used to measure guardian stress levels. Data from 783 valid responses were received. For the statistical model, we fitted a linear regression with a modified Parental Stress Scale as the single outcome variable. A full linear model was fitted with predictors with a p-value of 0.2 or less, and a backwards stepwise selection process was used to find the ideal model, using AIC as the heuristic. Guardians who were satisfied with their puppy’s behavior, lived in Australia (compared with those living in the USA and Canada), scored higher in self-esteem, were happy with the division of puppy responsibilities in their household, and were raising puppies scoring higher in trainability were all associated with lower Parental Stress Scale scores. In contrast, first-time puppy guardians, guardians who worked from home some or all of the time, guardians raising puppies scoring higher in extraversion or neuroticism, and guardians who agreed that managing more than one dog in the household took up a lot of their time and energy, were all associated with higher Parental Stress Scale Scores. Although not initially developed for puppy guardians, the modified Parental Stress Scale shows potential as a useful measure for future use in this population.

Parental Stress in Autistic Children with Poor Oral Hygiene: A Pilot Study to Develop and Validate a Measurement Scale

Background/Objectives: Research indicates that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit a deficiency in skills and initiative when it comes to adhering to daily oral hygiene routines. This, in turn, increases the likelihood of oral pathologies, thereby placing a significant emotional strain on their parents. In addition to the typical stress they already experience, parents of children with ASD are also burdened with pediatric oral health issues. However, a review of the literature reveals a lack of studies measuring stress in parents of children whose oral health affects their autistic condition. This research aimed to design and to validate a stress scale for parents of autistic children with poor oral hygiene. Methods: The study used an exploratory, non-experimental design to validate and determine the reliability of the scale. Scale reliability was assessed through a cross-sectional pilot test to evaluate internal scale consistency, with a focus on item similarity. We used Aiken’s V to estimate the validity of the scale, and Cronbach’s α for calculating scale reliability. Calculations, estimations, and statistical analysis were conducted using SPSS. Results: Expert validation, a pilot test, and a cross-sectional, non-experimental design established the reliability of the scale. Conclusions: We conclude that the 20-item scale exhibits validity (0.95) and reliability (0.965), ensuring its applicability in future research.

Hubungan Dukungan Teman Sebaya dan Kelekatan Orang Tua Terhadap Kecerdasan Emosional pada Siswa Sekolah Menengah Kejuruan (SMK)

The objective of this research is to determine the relationship between peer support and parental attachment with emotional intelligence in Vocational High School (SMK) students. The variables used in this study are peer support and parental attachment as independent variables (X) and Emotional Intelligence as the dependent variable (Y). The researcher employed a quantitative correlational approach with a sample of 247 students using proportionate stratified random sampling. The research instruments utilized adapted scales for emotional intelligence, peer support, and parental attachment. The emotional intelligence scale was adapted from the Assessing Emotional Scale (AES) with a Cronbach’s Alpha reliability of 0.960, the peer support scale was adapted from the Peer Support Questionnaire (PSQ) with a Cronbach’s Alpha reliability of 0.782, and the parental attachment scale was adapted from the Parental Attachment Questionnaire (PAQ) with a Cronbach’s Alpha reliability of 0.820. The analysis results showed that the variables of peer support and parental attachment simultaneously indicated an R-Square score of 0.170 or 17.0%, suggesting that peer support and parental attachment are related to emotional intelligence by 17%, while the remaining 83% is influenced by other variables or factors outside of this study.

Caring Under Pressure: Investigating Parental Attitudes in Mother–Child Chronic Illness Dynamics

Background: The presence of chronic illnesses in both a mother and a child poses a significant challenge for mothers in managing these conditions, yet how maternal attitudes adapt to dual illness remains poorly understood. This study aims to explore parenting styles in families dealing with mother–child chronic illnesses. Methods: Mothers of children aged 2–6 were recruited from three pediatric clinics and categorized based on the health status of both the mother and the child. Data collection included case files and the Parental Attitude Scale (PAS), which assessed democratic, authoritarian, overprotective, and permissive attitudes. The interaction between mother–child health status and higher levels of parental subscales was analyzed using the chi-square test. Multiple logistic regression analysis was then performed to evaluate this interaction, controlling for confounding baseline characteristics. Results: In total, 878 mother–child pairs were included. Mothers exhibited varying attitudes based on education, employment, and the child’s age. Chronic illness in both mother and child and only the child having an illness were significantly associated with higher overprotective scores (p < 0.001). The percentage of mothers with high permissive scores was higher when only the mother had an illness and when both were healthy, compared to the case of both mother and child having an illness (p = 0.018). After adjusting for confounding factors, having a sick child showed a 1.6-fold increase in the likelihood of a high overprotective score, and both the mother and child having an illness showed a 2.94-fold increase. Similarly, after adjusting for the same confounding factors, the likelihood of a high permissive score was 2.56 times lower when both were ill compared to when both were healthy. Conclusions: This study reveals that when a child is affected by a chronic illness—whether or not the mother is also ill—mothers tend to exhibit higher levels of overprotection and lower levels of permissiveness, while their levels of authoritarianism and democratic attitudes in parenting remain relatively stable.

Gambaran Pengasuhan Orang Tua di Suku Nias

Parents are the primary and first educators of children within a family. In the process of emotional adjustment for children, this cannot be separated from family support. Communication is the key to relationships within a family. The parenting style of the Nias ethnic group has its own uniqueness influenced by local culture and values. According to Vinden (2001), there are two parenting styles: authoritarian and authoritative. This study aims to describe the parenting practices of the Nias ethnic group. The research employs a quantitative method using descriptive statistical analysis. The population for this study consists of parents in the Nias ethnic group, with a total of 60 subjects. The sampling technique used is purposive sampling. This study utilizes the parenting style scale developed by Vinden, which has been modified by O'Reily and Peterson (2014) and adapted into Indonesian by Hasanah and Rusli (2020). Based on the research results, the mean for authoritarian parenting style is 18.9 with a standard deviation of 1.50, while the mean for authoritative parenting style is 10.3 with a standard deviation of 1.84. This indicates that the authoritarian parenting style among parents in the Nias ethnic group is higher.

Relative victimization scale: initial development and retrospective reports of the impact on mental health

BackgroundBullying and victimization have been studied in many contexts and classified as peer victimization in school settings and parental or sibling victimization within family settings. Yet, current research is scarce on whether victimization occurring within family settings is specific to parental or sibling victimization. Thus, the current study aims to develop a scale assessing victimization conducted by relatives and provide support for its psychometric properties.MethodsCross-sectional and longitudinal data were collected from university students (1622 and 1045 students, respectively) and participants responded to questionnaires via an online survey.ResultsEFA and CFA results demonstrated the unidimensionality of the Relative Victimization Scale (RVS) consisting of eight items. In terms of convergent validity, RVS scores were correlated with the scores on parental, sibling, and peer victimization scales and several psychological health outcomes including depression, anxiety, social anxiety, perceived stress, loneliness, negative and positive affect, life satisfaction, and resilience. Moreover, RVS explained a significant amount of variance beyond the contribution of parental, sibling, and peer victimization in those psychological health outcomes for the support of incremental validity.ConclusionsThe findings of the study indicated the potential utility of the RVS in assessing the experience of relative victimization through offering support for internal consistency reliability and construct, longitudinal predictive, and incremental validity.

Financial insecurity and mental well-being: experiences of parents amid the lebanese economic crisis

BackgroundThis study investigates the impact of financial insecurity on the mental well-being and stress levels of parents in Lebanon amid the country’s severe economic crisis. The context of Lebanon’s economic collapse, coupled with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Beirut port explosion, has exacerbated financial and psychological distress among the population. This research aims to understand the correlation between financial instability and parental stress, identifying key factors contributing to mental health challenges in this demographic.MethodsEmploying a quantitative research approach, data was collected through an online survey from 785 parents from different backgrounds in Lebanon. The survey incorporated sociodemographic questions, the InCharge Financial Distress/Financial Well-Being Scale (IFDFW), and the Arabic version of the Parental Stress Scale (PSS). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 25.ResultsFindings showed significant correlations between high levels of parental stress and factors such as age (r = 0.071, p = 0.047) and lower education levels. Notably, refugees residing in Lebanon exhibited higher stress levels compared to Lebanese parents (mean stress score: 51.73 vs. 45.71, p < 0.001). Similarly, employed participants exhibited higher stress levels compared to the nonworking (mean stress score: 46.75 vs. 44.60, p = 0.003). A significant inverse association was found between financial well-being and parental stress (r=-0.216, p < 0.001), emphasizing the profound impact of economic instability on mental health.ConclusionsThis study highlights the adverse effects of financial insecurity on parents’ mental health, primarily during a period of economic instability, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted support interventions. These findings contribute to the literature on economic crises and mental health, providing a basis for future research and policy development in similar contexts.

&lt;b&gt;Estilos de crianza y personalidad: un estudio en adultos costarricenses&lt;/b&gt;

The reason for this research was the growing concern to find a connection between the parting style given by biological mothers and fathers and the personality of adults in Costa Rica. The goal of the research was to determine how parenting styles and a 110 personalities of Costa Rican adults influence and related; the average age of the participants was (M=33.25, SD=13.93), with an ages ranging from 18 to 76 years old, from multiple parts of the country and who were raised in Costa Rica in their childhood and adolescence. A non-experimental quantitative methodology with a cross-sectional design was used and the data recollection was carried out by convenience, virtually in October 2022. To answer the pending question the Big Five Inventory Scale (BFI) and the Perceiver Parenting Styles and Parental Inconsistency Scale (EPIPP, in Spanish) were applied. The data analysis was done with the statistical program IBM SPSS, v. 26.0 and results showed outstanding aspects in personality traits of openness to experience; in parenting there was an overprotective parenting style for the mother and an authoritative style for the father. In addition, differences were found between the ages in the mother’s answers and the generations with respect to the personalities of the participants.

The relationship between perceived parental phubbing and smartphone addiction in adolescents

Abstract Background Parental phubbing refers to the degree to which parents reduce or ignore their interactions with their children while taking care of their smartphones. Today, it has become important to conduct studies to understand the effects of parental phubbing on adolescents, which is increasing globally. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between perceived parental phubbing and smartphone addiction as well as depression in adolescents. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 314 adolescents aged 10-18 years who applied to the general pediatrics outpatient clinics of a university hospital in Ankara, the capital of Türkiye, were included. The questionnaire form used for data collection consisted of questions about the sociodemographic information of the participants, ‘Perceived Parental Phubbing Scale’, ‘Kutcher Adolescent Depression Scale Short Form’, and ‘Smartphone Addiction Short Form for Adolescents’ items. Descriptive statistics, Mann Whitney U, Kruskal Wallis H test and Spearman correlation analysis were used to analyse the data. A value of p &amp;lt; 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Depression and smartphone addiction levels were found to be significantly lower in adolescents who did not smoke, engaged in regular physical activity and had a close group of friends (p &amp;lt; 0.05). It was also found that the level of perceived parental phubbing was significantly higher in adolescents whose parents’ education level was above high school and who felt lonely (p &amp;lt; 0.05). Low level positive correlations was found between perceived parental phubbing and both depression (r = 0.116, p = 0.041) and smartphone addiction (r = 0.128, p = 0.023). Conclusions As the level of parental phubbing perceived by adolescents increased, the levels of depression and smartphone addiction in adolescents increased. These negative effects of parental phubbing on adolescents should be taken into consideration by mental health professionals. Key messages • It is important to consider and question parental phubbing as one of the related factors in adolescents with high levels of smartphone addiction and depression. • There is a need for studies to increase the awareness of parents, who are important role models for adolescents, about the concept of phubbing and its effects on adolescents’ mental health.

Estimation of Plasma Concentration of L-Carnosine and its Correlation with Core Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder Children: A Pilot Clinical Trial.

Literature indicates that L-carnosine may be deficient in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) children. The aim of the present study was to estimate the level of L-carnosine in plasma and correlate it with the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) and Childhood Autism Rating Scale 2nd Edition, Standard Version (CARS2-ST) scores. To measure L-carnosine level, a bio-analytical method was developed using reverse phase high- liquid chromatography and validated as per International Conference on Harmonization guidelines. Children were supplemented with L-carnosine (10-15 mg/kg) along with standard care therapies for 2 months. Before and after supplementation, scores on the ATEC, CARS2-ST, BEARS sleep screening tool, 6-item Gastrointestinal Severity Index, and Parental Stress Scale were evaluated, and L-carnosine was measured at the end of the trial. The calibration curve was linear in the range of 100-600 ng/mL (R2 = 0.998). The level of L-carnosine quantified was 33.7 ± 0.2 ng/mL. There was no significant difference found in any of the outcome measures (p > 0.05). Despite the fact that L-carnosine is detectable in the blood, it was found to be ineffective in the management of ASD in children. The study was registered in the Clinical Trial Registry-India, registration number: CTRI/2019/07/020102.

A cross-sectional study on distinctive factors associated with conduct behaviors among children presenting with inattention-hyperactivity disorders in Indian context

Abstract Introduction: Conduct behaviors are frequently associated with disorders of inattention and hyperactivity. Many studies have been done in the Western population on predictors of those conduct behaviors among these children with inattention-hyperactivity. However, such studies are lacking in the Indian context. Thus, the current study examined the distinctive factors associated with conduct behaviors among children presenting with inattention-hyperactivity Disorders in the Indian setting. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was done in a Medical College of Kolkata with two groups of children and adolescents each having 50 samples diagnosed as hyperkinetic conduct disorder (HKCD) and hyperkinetic disorder of attention and activity (HKD-AA) as per International Classification of Diseases-10th version. Comparison between the two groups was made with the abbreviated (10-item) Conners’ rating scale for parents (CPRS-HI) and a semi-structured socio-demographic pro forma to find out the distinctive factors associated with HKCD. Results: On comparison between the two groups, significant differences (P &lt; 0.05) were found in items such as male sex, birth complications, inadequate social-skill development, paternal alcohol use disorders (AUD), and disturbed family ambience, which were significantly higher in HKCD. Among CPRS-HI items, impulsivity was the distinguishing feature of HKCD. However, the total severity scores of CPRS-HI were similar in both the groups. In our population, maternal substance abuse was not found, and mood and alcohol use disorders were more common than childhood externalizing disorders in the family history. Conclusion: Similar to the Western population, in our study male sex, birth complications, paternal-AUD, and disturbed family ambience are distinctively higher in conduct behaviors, but contrary to them, there is no maternal substance abuse, and severity of inattention-hyperactivity scores are similar in children with or without conduct behaviors.

Impact of Domestic Task Involvement toward Parental Stress on Dual Earner Couples

Purpose: The prevalence of dual-earner couples in Indonesia, particularly in urban areas, has led to an increase in their roles both at work and in the family. This situation often results in inappropriate domestic task involvement, which in turn affects the stress levels of these couples. Understanding the impact of domestic task involvement on parental stress is crucial for the fields of family studies, psychology, and sociology. Method: The research included 237 respondents obtained using purposive sampling techniques, and the results were analyzed with quantitative methods with criteria for early adulthood, working married couples, having children aged at least six years, and being domiciled in Jabodetabek. Data was collected through a survey using the instruments Subject’s Involvement in Household Chores and Partner’s Involvement in Household Chores for the independent variable and Parental Stress Scale for the dependent variable. Data was analyzed using quantitative methods through multiple regression analysis to test the impact of domestic task involvement on parental stress. Result: The results show that domestic task involvement has a significantly negative impact of 3.4% on low levels of parental stress. The multiple regression test shows the calculated significance level of 0.017 &lt; 0.05. Subject Involvement and Partner Involvement simultaneously have a negative influence on parental stress. Conclusion: The study underscores the pivotal role of collaboration between husband and wife in managing domestic tasks, which can significantly reduce parental stress. These findings not only contribute to the academic discourse but also suggest practical strategies for supporting dual-earner couples in Indonesia.

Mothers’ Stress as a Predictor of Preschoolers’ Stress in the Context of Parental Practices

Background/Objectives: Over the past decade, there has been a significant increase in distress among children, as well as in the long-term effects of childhood stress. Parents, particularly mothers, are the most important social partners for preschool-aged children and may help protect them from stress. The current study aims to investigate how parental practices impact children’s perceived stress in relation to their mothers’ stress. Methods: The sample comprised 346 mothers of preschoolers aged 20 to 48 years (M = 34.39, SD = 6.16). Participants completed an online survey that included the Perceived Stress Scale for Parents of Preschoolers, the Perceived Stress Scale, the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire—Preschool Revision, and questions regarding their socio-demographic characteristics. Results: Punitive parenting contributed positively, while positive parenting contributed negatively to children’s distress. When mothers’ perceived stress was taken into account, positive parenting lost its significance. Punitive parenting and maternal perceived stress were the only positive predictors of child distress. Conclusions: Stress in mothers may lead to a decrease in their involvement in the upbringing and parenting of preschoolers, potentially contributing to increased stress levels in children. Intervention programs aimed at reducing preschoolers’ stress should incorporate classes for parents that also could be focused on stress regulation for parents and training in positive parenting practices.

The Effect of Authoritative Parenting and Self-Esteem on Prosocial Behavior in Adolescents in Palopo City

This research is motivated by the phenomenon of low prosocial behavior among high school teenagers in Palopo City. Authoritative parenting by parents and self-esteem are supporting factors for adolescents to increase prosocial behavior. Therefore, this study aims to prove the influence of authoritative parenting and self-esteem on prosocial behavior in high school teenagers in Palopo City. This research employed quantitative research with an ex-post facto type of research with a sample of 335 teenagers. The data collection technique used an accidental sampling technique with research instruments in the form of psychological scales, namely the prosocial behavior scale, authoritative parenting scale, and self-esteem scale. The validity test used the results of factor loading, and the reliability test used Cronbach's Alpha, with a reliability coefficient value for the prosocial behavior scale = 0.910, the self- esteem parenting scale = 0.885, and the self-esteem scale = 0.890. Data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis techniques. The study's results show that authoritative parenting and self-esteem influence prosocial behavior in adolescents (p=0.000). Therefore, it can be concluded that authoritative research and self-esteem influence prosocial behavior in adolescents. The regression line equation is 14.204 + 0.326 X1 + 0.539 X2. The effective contribution of authoritative parenting and self-esteem to prosocial behavior was 44.8%, consisting of authoritative parenting at 17.2% and self-esteem at 27.6%.

Self Efficacy as a Mediator between Positive Parenting and Academic Resilience in Adolescents

Academic resilience has emerged as a problem in education and mental health among society, especially among teenagers. Positive parenting and self-efficacy are supporting factors that help adolescents develop academic resilience. This research aims to prove the influence of self-efficacy as a mediator between positive parenting and academic resilience in adolescents. This study employed a quantitative research design, specifically an ex-post facto, with a sample size of 302 adolescents. The sample for this research was determined using an accidental sampling technique. Data collection for this research involved the use of the Academic Resilience Scale-30 (ARS), positive parenting scale, and self-efficacy scale. The validity test employed factor loading results, while the reliability test utilized Cronbach's Alpha. The reliability coefficient values for the academic resilience scale, positive parenting scale, and self-efficacy scale are 0.911, 0.897, and 0.879, respectively. The data analysis utilized various techniques of multiple regression analysis. The findings of this study suggest that favourable parenting characteristics have a moderating effect on academic resilience. The impact of favourable parenting factors on academic resilience, initially at 27.1%, increases to 30.5% when the self-efficacy variable is considered.

Шкала родительского стресса: адаптация на русскоязычной выборке матерей школьников

&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Objective. &lt;/strong&gt;Adaptation of the Parental Stress Scale by J. Berry and V. Jones on a sample of mothers of Russian schoolchildren &amp;ndash; first and fourth grade students of elementary schools in Nizhny Novgorod and the Nizhny Novgorod region. &lt;br&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background. &lt;/strong&gt;Modern parenting research highlights the complex nature of parenting experiences, the diversity of parental practices, the changes associated with the child's upbringing and the dynamics of the family system, and the combination of both positive and negative emotions in parenting. However, there is a noticeable shortage of tools in the Russian-language literature to measure both parental satisfaction and parental stress. &lt;br&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Study design. &lt;/strong&gt;The study was conducted using an online survey within the &amp;ldquo;Longitudinal study of factors of school failure&amp;rdquo;, implemented in Nizhny Novgorod and the Nizhny Novgorod region. &lt;strong&gt;Participants. &lt;/strong&gt;The study included a sample of 900 mothers of fourth grade and 1120 mothers of the first grade school students. &lt;strong&gt;Measurements.&lt;/strong&gt; Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and McDonald's Omega coefficients were used for psychometric data analysis. The PERMA Profiler questionnaire and correlation analysis were used to assess validity based on convergent and discriminant evidence. The data was analyzed in the Jamovi 2022 and R programs. &lt;br&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results. &lt;/strong&gt;Factor analyses of the internal structure suggest two factors, including 8 items each. The subscales &amp;ldquo;Parental stress&amp;rdquo; and &amp;ldquo;Parental satisfaction&amp;rdquo; demonstrate a high level of internal consistency. The assessment of validity based on the convergent and discriminant evidence confirms the reliability and validity of the instrument. &lt;br&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions. &lt;/strong&gt;The scale demonstrates good psychometric properties and can be used for parenting research, as well as in applied projects to improve parental competence and emotional support for parents.&lt;/p&gt;

Mental Health Outcomes of Parents with Children Enrolled in the Competence-Based Curriculum in Public Day Primary Schools in Nairobi County, Kenya

Involvement in their children's education through the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) significantly impacts the mental health outcomes of parents, necessitating a deeper understanding of how these educational demands influence parental well-being. This study examines the mental health outcomes of parents with children enrolled in the CBC in primary schools in Nairobi County, Kenya. Utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Theory (CBT), the research employed a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional survey design targeting parents with children enrolled in the CBC in primary schools. A multi-stage sampling technique resulted in a sample size of 376 parents. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, including the Parenting Sense of Competence (PSOC) scale, Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI), Parental Stress Scale, and New General Self-Efficacy Scale. Statistical analysis using SPSS Version 25 involved descriptive methods. The findings revealed generally positive mental health outcomes, with high levels of parenting satisfaction and self-efficacy, alongside moderate levels of mental fatigue and stress. These results align with CBT, emphasizing the role of positive beliefs and effective coping strategies in maintaining mental health. The study concludes that while CBC aims to enhance learning, it also creates challenges for parents that impact their mental health.

Effects of an App-Based Visitation Program for Mothers of High-Risk Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

This study established an app-based visitation program for mothers of infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)-constrained by COVID-19 visitation restrictions-and assessed its impact on neonatal perception, maternal-infant attachment, and parental stress. High-risk infants in the NICU encounter heightened challenges, exacerbated by COVID-19 restrictions, leading to heightened maternal stress, impaired neonatal perception, and hindered mother-infant attachment. A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 40 mothers (20 in the experimental group and 20 in the control group) unable to visit the NICU of a tertiary general hospital in South Korea. The experimental group utilized the Dodam-Dodam smartphone application, while the control group received neonatal information through telephone calls and text messages. Data collection occurred in July 2022 (control) and September 2022 (experimental) using research instruments (parent's neonatal perception, maternal-infant attachment, and parental stressor scale: NICU, visiting program satisfaction). Descriptive statistics and tests (χ2, Fisher's exact, Shapiro-Wilk, parametric independent t and paired t tests, and nonparametric tests: Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon's signed-rank) were employed for analysis. The Dodam-Dodam application significantly impacted maternal-infant attachment parental stress scores and program satisfaction in the experimental group, except for neonatal perception. The Dodam-Dodam application was more efficacious than traditional visiting programs in enhancing maternal-infant attachment, increasing maternal satisfaction and reducing parental stress within NICU settings amid restricted visitation. Recommendations include app-based NICU visitation, exploring app variations, studying diverse populations, and providing optimal information provision.

Arabic validation of the parental stress scale (PSS) in a population-based sample of Lebanese parents

ABSTRACT Background Parental stress significantly impacts the well-being of families, and necessitates culturally sensitive tools for its assessment. The Parental Stress Scale, widely used in diverse cultural settings, lacks a validated Arabic version suitable for the Lebanese context, where unique sociopolitical and economic factors might influence parental stress differently. This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the scale in Arabic among a Lebanese sample Methods Following the Snowball sampling method, participants (n = 502) were adult Lebanese parents who answered demographic questions and completed the Arabic version of the Parental Stress Scale and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-8. Results Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed a two-factor model of the Parental Stress Scale (CFI = 0.956). We found adequate composite reliability for both the ‘Parental Stress’ (ω = 0.91/α = 0.91) and ‘Parental satisfaction’ (ω = 0.94/α = 0.94) subscales. Convergent validity and concurrent validity were demonstrated through positive correlations with measures of depression, anxiety and stress. Our translation of the scale was shown to be invariant across sexes, with fathers scoring significantly higher than mothers. Conclusion Our validated Arabic version of the Parental Stress Scale offers a culturally sensitive instrument for assessing parental stress in Lebanon. This tool enables healthcare providers and researchers to identify stressors affecting Lebanese families, facilitating the development of targeted interventions to support parental mental health.

Mothers’ perceptions of children’s emotional behaviour problems and parenting sense of competence: The mediating role of maternal meta-emotion philosophy

We investigated the relationship between mothers’ perceptions of their children’s emotional behaviour problems and their parenting sense of competence, as well as the mediating effect of maternal meta-emotion philosophy in this connection. Participants were 349 mothers of 4- to 17-year-old children (female children = 40.7%, mean age = 8.24 years, SD = 2.95 years). The mothers completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Parental Meta-Emotion Philosophy Scale, and the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale. Structural equation modelling and simple mediation analyses results showed that mothers’ perceptions of their children’s problem behaviours were linked to higher emotion dimissing and lower parenting sense of competence. Specifically, emotion dimissing mediated the relationship between children’s problem behaviours and parenting sense of competence by the mothers. Furthermore, mothers’ perceptions of their children’s prosocial behaviours were associated with both higher emotion coaching and parenting sense of competence. Emotion coaching mediated the relationship between children’s prosocial behaviours and parenting sense of competence for higher sense of competence by the mothers. Our findings suggest that mothers’ perceptions of children’s emotional behaviour problems may explain their parenting sense of competence through their parenting philosophy. By prioritising their maternal meta-emotion philosophy when dealing with their children’s emotional behaviour problems, mothers can enhance their parenting sense of competence.