Parenting Stress In Mothers Research Articles

어머니의 양육효능감과 아버지의 양육참여가 유아기 자녀를 둔 어머니의 양육 스트레스에 미치는 영향

Objectives This study was conducted to investigate the influence of maternal parenting self-efficacy and father involvement in childcare on mothers' parenting stress. Methods An online survey was conducted on 405 mothers with early children aged 3 to 5. Collected data were analyzed using Pearson Correlation Analysis, Simple Regression and Multiple Regression. Results Prior to analyses according to research questions, results of investigating relationship among parenting stress, parenting efficacy and fathers' involvement in child care revealed significant negative correlations. Results of analysis according to the first research question revealed that maternal parenting efficacy negatively influenced on parenting stress and difficulty of parenting role was more influential than confidence of parenting role regardless of sub-variables of parenting stress. And several specific behaviors which were relatively highly related to relief of maternal parenting stress were identified. Results of analysis according to the second research question revealed that fathers' involvement in child care negatively influenced on parenting stress and relative influence differ according to sub-variables of fathers' involvement in child care. And several specific parenting involvement behaviors which were relatively highly related to relief of maternal parenting stress were identified. Conclusions This study revealed that fathers' involvement differently influenced according to sub-variables of maternal parenting stress and identified specific parenting efficacy behaviors and fathers' involvement behaviors which were relatively highly related to maternal parenting stress. Therefore, it is necessary to consider these findings when preparing for measures to cope with parenting stress of mothers with early children.

Exploring the Relationship between Social Support and Parental Stress in Mothers of Children with Autism

Parents of children with autism, especially mothers, experience more parental stress compared to mothers of typical children. The aim of this research was to discuss the relationship between social support perceived to mothers of children with autism and parental stress levels, and to investigate the relationship between the characteristics of the mothers/their children and parental stress. Fifty mothers of children with autism in Banten Province completed the Social Support Index (SSI) and Parental Stress Scale (PSS) through a Google Form. The data was analyzed using Pearson Correlation and multiple regression analysis. Results show that the mothers had high social support (M = 61.72) and experienced lower stress in parenting their children (M = 39.56). Moreover, SSI has a significant negative correlation with PSS (r = -.519, p = .01), indicating that the higher social support accepted by mothers of children with autism, the lower level of parental stress they experienced. Surprisingly, mothers of children with autism who have siblings have lower parental stress than those of them without siblings.

The role of lack of grandparental support in perinatal depression

BackgroundLow social support has been identified as a risk factor for perinatal mental health problems. However, previous studies mainly focused on partner support or general social support and neglected the roles of grandparents. Here, we examine whether a lack of grandparental support is related to increased risk of a diagnosis of perinatal depression. In addition, we examine whether poor grandparental support is related to more depressive symptoms in mothers with and without previously diagnosed perinatal depression and whether perceived grandparental support buffers against parenting difficulties in mothers with perinatal depression. MethodsThe sample was drawn from an Australian pregnancy cohort study and consisted of 725 women, including 230 women who met criteria for Major Depression. At 12 months postpartum, women reported on grandparental geographical proximity and hours of grandparental childcare support. Perceived grandparental support was assessed with the Postpartum Social Support Questionnaire and parenting difficulties and depressive symptoms with the Parenting Stress Index and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. ResultsPerceived grandparental support was related to fewer depressive symptoms among mothers with perinatal depression. In addition, higher levels of perceived grandparental support were related to lower parenting stress in mothers with and without perinatal depression. LimitationsIntergenerational conflicts and quality of grandparenting were not assessed. ConclusionsOur findings indicate that supportive grandparents may prevent the development of more severe perinatal depression in mothers experiencing perinatal mental health problems. Future studies should examine whether involving grandparents in treatment may add to the effectiveness of existing perinatal mental health interventions.

The Effects of Neighborhood Trust and Support on Parenting Stress of Mothers With Young Children in Japan.

While childrearing can enhance mothers' psychological well-being, parenting can also increase mental stress for mothers with young children, which is considered a risk factor for child maltreatment. A lack of social capital reportedly influences mothers' parenting, but few studies have investigated the effects of social capital on the perception of mental stress and well-being associated with childrearing among mothers with young children. Therefore, we investigated the effects of lower perceived neighborhood trust and support on higher mental stress and/or lower well-being associated with childrearing among Japanese mothers with children aged 2 to 3 years. A total of 570 mothers with children (aged 2-3 years) in nursery school were invited to join the survey. The childrearing perspective scale for mothers (CPS-M97) was used to evaluate mothers' perceptions of mental stress and well-being associated with childrearing. Odds ratios (ORs) reflecting lower satisfaction/fulfillment scores (ie, well-being) and/or higher burdened/anxious scores (ie, mental stress) associated with perceived social capital levels were analyzed, after adjusting for confounding factors. The OR for lower satisfaction/fulfillment scores was significantly higher (OR = 1.77) for mothers with lower neighborhood trust. Significantly increased ORs for higher burdened/anxious scores were found in mothers with lower neighborhood trust (OR = 1.50) and support (OR = 1.49). The ORs for poor mental status, with lower satisfaction/fulfillment scores and higher burdened/anxious scores, were significantly increased in mothers with lower neighborhood trust (OR = 1.96) and lower neighborhood support (OR = 2.10). Higher social capital was associated with higher psychological well-being and/or lower mental stress in Japanese childrearing mothers. These results suggest that enhancing social capital is necessary to facilitate successful parenting that contributes to the prevention of child maltreatment.

Together We Can Face On: Co-parenting and Parental Stress on Mothers During the Covid 19 Pandemic

A mother becomes a figure who has a central role in the family, one of which is in terms of parenting. However, when carrying out the role of parenting, it is not always easy. Difficult conditions and situations will be encountered and allow stress to arise. The situation difficulty coupled with the occurrence of the covid-19 pandemic causes all activities to be carried out at home and adds to the work to become children's learning companions and to take care of family needs. The condition can make the mother feel pressure for the demands faced, causing stress. Looking at this, the researchers assessed a thing that can affect the stress of mothers when raising children (parental stress) is the involvement of partners in parenting (co-parenting). This study aims to prove, namely how the effect of co-parenting on parental stress in mothers, especially during the covid-19 pandemic. In the process, this study involved 62 mothers as research respondents by providing research questionnaires. The research questionnaire consisted of a co-parenting scale and a parental stress scale. The results of data analysis obtained by simple regression analysis showed that there was an effect of co-parenting on parental stress in mothers during the covid-19 pandemic (p < 0.05). The output are that the role of partners in working together to care for and care for children can reduce the stress felt by mothers.

Parenting, Gender, and Perception of Changes in Children's Behavior during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In a previous Argentine study, we found that, in the critical context of social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, there were changes in maternal practices that influenced the relationship with their children. We also found that the impact of mandatory isolation was moderated positively by protective factors such as positive parenting and maternal school support or negatively by risk factors such as maternal stress. Although this study only analyzed maternal behavior, we were interested in studying the behavior of both parents, comparing the parenting (positive parenting, parental stress, and school support) of the father and mother and the perceived behavioral changes in their children. A quantitative ex post facto study was carried out. The sample consisted of 120 Argentinean parents (70 mothers and 50 fathers) aged between 27 and 56 (M = 38.84; SD = 5.03). Questionnaires were administered on sociodemographic and behavioral data of the children, as well as a brief scale to assess parenting. Mann-Whitney U and MANOVA were used to analyze the influence of gender on perceived changes in children's behavior and perceived parenting, respectively. Mothers perceived more significant changes than fathers in their children's behavior. In addition, women reported more parental stress, greater child school support, and greater perceived positive parenting compared to men. These findings support the hypothesis that parenting developed differently in fathers and mothers. These results imply the need for psycho-educational intervention programs aimed at promoting greater involvement of fathers in parenting and better management of parental stress in mothers' and family psychological well-being.

Are all parental experiences equal?: Cluster analysis of salivary cortisol and perception of parental stress in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder

Many parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) report high stress levels related to their parenting role. The experience of stress is reflected in physical symptoms and well-being, as observed by abnormal patterns of cortisol regulation. However, it may be a mistake to conceive parenthood as unilaterally stressful as diverse experiences are possible. Mothers of children with ASD provided salivary cortisol samples and self-rated parental stress. The area under the curve with respect to ground was calculated in regard to three daily collection time points. As a group, mothers reported average levels of parenting stress and flat daily cortisol output. The current age of the child and age at the time of diagnosis moderately predicted overall daily cortisol. Hierarchical clusters analysis identified four distinct profiles of stress regulation based on daily cortisol regulation and perception of parental stress. Groups did not differ based on the severity of symptoms related to autism or demographic information. We suggest that other variables, such as stress mediators and secondary stressors, may explain variability in stress regulation. Future research and intervention should perceive the parental experience as heterogeneous and focus on individualizing the support offered in light of diverse experiences.

Effect of Reiki as a stress management technique for parents of hospitalized neonates

Objective: To determine the effect of Reiki, as nursing care, on parental stress in mothers with hospitalized neonates. Materials and methods: Explanatory, pre-experimental study, carried out on mothers of hospitalized neonates. Sampling was by availability and a total of thirty-two mothers over 18 years of age participated voluntarily. Results: 9.4% of the participants had an excessive level of parental stress, with the highest level of stress occurring in the parental role. The pre- and post-intervention parental stress scores had a difference of 12 points (p<0.004). Conclusions: Because the levels of parental stress following Reiki Therapy decreased, with significant statistical difference, the research hypothesis is accepted. The results of the intervention offer an alternative to be considered as a nursing intervention within the NICU in the management of parental stress.

Parental Stress in Raising a Child with Developmental Disabilities in a Rural Community in South Africa.

Although acceptable levels of parental stress are experienced by all parents who raise children, this stress is substantially higher among parents who raise children with developmental disabilities. Sociodemographic determinants further exacerbate parental stress among parents in rural communities, which are disadvantaged in many ways. This study aimed to quantify parental stress among mothers and female caregivers of children with developmental disorders and investigate factors associated with such stress in rural Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. A cross-sectional quantitative survey was used, in which the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF) and a sociodemographic questionnaire was administered to mothers and caregivers who were raising children aged 1 to 12 years old who were living with developmental disabilities. The PSI-SF scores were used, where a total score of ≤84 percentile was categorised as normal/no parenting stress, 85-89 percentile was categorised as high parental stress, and scores of ≥90 were classified as clinically significant. The sample of 335 participants consisted of 270 (80.6%) mothers and 65 (19.4%) caregivers. Their ages ranged from 19 to 65 years, with a mean of 33.9 (±7.8) years. The children were mostly diagnosed with delayed developmental milestones, communication difficulties, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, autism, ADHD, cognitive impairment, sensory impairments, and learning difficulties. The majority (52.2%) of the participants reported very high-clinically significant stress levels (≥85%ile). The four factors that independently and significantly predicted high parental stress were the advanced age of mothers and caregivers (p = 0.002, OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.34-3.95), caring for a child with multiple diagnoses (p = 0.013, OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.16-3.50), non-school enrolment of the child (p = 0.017, OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.13-3.46), and frequent hospital visits (p = 0.025, OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.09-3.44). At the subscale level, child non-enrolment in a school was found to independently predict parent distress (PD) and parent-child dysfunctional interaction (P-CDI). Frequent hospital visits were statistically and significantly associated with the difficult child (DC) and P-CDI subscales. The study established high parental stress in mothers and caregivers raising children with developmental disabilities. Lack of access to school was an independent factor that consistently increased parental stress. There is a need for support and directed intervention programs aimed at supporting mothers and caregivers of children with developmental disabilities, which will enhance their parenting abilities.

Factors Influencing Parenting Stress in the Mothers of Infants and the Effects of Artwork Production.

The importance of support for the mothers of infants to cope with parenting stress due to isolated parenting environments is being emphasized. In order to reduce the parenting stress in parenting mothers while improving the quality of parenting support for them, it is important to identify factors influencing such stress. We investigated the effects of artwork production in different styles, conducted self-evaluation of such production, and identified factors influencing parenting stress in mothers, involving those who participated in a handprint artwork production workshop. We included 140 mothers who participated in a handprint artwork production workshop, dividing them into 2 groups: A: 70 with children younger than 3 years of age who engaged in artwork production alone; and B: 70 who engaged in it through collaboration with their children aged 3 years or older. The instructor distributed an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire to all the mothers, and collected their responses. The questionnaire examined the following items: attributes, the number of participations in the workshop, artwork production self-evaluation, and parenting stress. There were 140 (100%) responses, and the number of valid responses was 65 from Group A and 54 from Group B, a total of 119 (85%). The mean [parenting strain] score was significantly higher in Group B. Multiple regression analysis identified the child's age and presence/absence of his/her siblings overall and in Group A, and <confidence in one's work>, an item for artwork production self-evaluation, in Group B as factors influencing the total [parenting strain] score. The present results suggest that the child's age and presence/absence of his/her siblings could influence parenting stress in the mothers. Additionally, there was a correlation between the level of parenting stress and score for <confidence in one's work> among the mothers who engaged in artwork production through collaboration with their children.

Determinants of maternal stress during COVID-19 outbreak in Italy and Spain: A cross-cultural investigation.

The present study aims to investigate cross-cultural differences and similarities in maternal and children's adjustment to COVID-19 restrictions in Spain and Italy, with reference to determinants of maternal stress. A total of 950 mothers (45.4% from Spain, n = 432, Mage = 39.6, years old, SD = 5.2 and 54.5% from Italy, n = 518, Mage = 40.5, years, SD = 6.4) of children aged 3-17 years old completed questionnaires on sociodemographic and COVID-19 contextual factors, parenting-related variables, and children externalizing behaviors using an online survey. We examined determinants of parental stress in both countries. Mothers reported a significant increase in parental stress and child externalizing behaviors during COVID-19 home confinement, with more remarkable perceived changes in the Spanish group. Hierarchical linear regressions showed that child age and externalizing behaviors, maternal psychological distress, quality of coparenting and pre-COVID-19 levels of parental stress significantly predicted parental stress in both Italian and Spanish mothers during the pandemic. Results confirmed the negative psychological impact of COVID-19 home confinement on parents and children across countries and revealed common underlying factors responsible for parental stress in Italy and Spain. These findings highlighted the need for communitarian preventive programs to reduce mental health difficulties and parental stress in mothers and behavioral difficulties in children during pandemic restrictions. Particular attention should be paid to young mothers and children, and the key role of positive partner support and coparenting relationships should be considered. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Modeling the Parenting Stress of Mothers of Autistic Children Based on Mindfulness and Meta-parenting With the Mediation of Self-efficacy

Objectives: It is highly important to identify the factors related to the general quality of life of parents, especially mothers of children with autism. Therefore, the present study aims to predict parenting stress based on mindfulness and meta-parenting considering the mediating role of parental self-efficacy of mothers of children with autism. Methods: The present correlational study was conducted using the structural equation modeling (SEM) method. The study population included all mothers of 2- to 14-year-old children with autism referring to the therapeutic clinics in Tehran City, Iran, in 2021. Of this population, a total of 250 individuals were selected using the purposive sampling method and then responded to the parenting stress (PSI-SF), mindfulness (MAAS), meta-parenting (M-PQ), and parental self-efficacy (PSAM) questionnaires. The data were analyzed via the SEM method in the AMOS 21.0 software. Results: The total path coefficient between mindfulness (P‌&lt;‌0.01, β‌=‌-‌0.671), meta-parenting (P‌&lt;‌0.01, β‌=‌-0.256), and parental self-efficacy (P‌&lt;‌0.01, β‌=‌-‌0.352), and parenting stress was negative and significant. Also, the indirect path coefficient between parenting stress and mindfulness (P‌&lt;‌0.01, β‌=‌-‌0.153) and meta-parenting (P‌&lt;‌0.01, β‌=‌ -‌0.116) was negative and significant at the level of 0.01. Moreover, the squared multiple correlation coefficient (R2) for the parenting stress variable was obtained at 0.63. Conclusion: Mindfulness and meta-parenting can predict parenting stress in mothers of children with autism both directly and with the intermediation of parental self-efficacy. Therefore, to develop interventions for preventing high levels of parenting stress, it is necessary to utilize the findings to improve parents’ parent-child relationships.

Specifying the Relations among PTSD Symptom Clusters and Parenting Stress in Mothers Engaged in Substance Use Treatment

Introduction Parenting stress is often heightened in mothers receiving treatment for substance use. Experiences of trauma are commonly seen in this population, which may give rise to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms, including intrusion, avoidance, negative cognition and mood, and affective arousal. While past research has demonstrated a significant relation between PTSD symptoms and parenting stress, no studies have examined the relative contributions of these symptoms to parenting stress in mothers engaged in substance use treatment. Methods Seventy-four mothers attending outpatient substance use treatment who were parenting children aged 0–3 years completed measures of parenting stress, PTSD, substance use, and depression symptoms. Results A canonical correlation analysis indicated two canonical variates accounting for significant variance between PTSD symptom clusters and parenting stress measures. The first canonical variate, primarily reflecting depressive and PTSD cognition and mood symptoms, was predominantly related to the parental distress aspect of parenting stress (40%). The second canonical variate, primarily reflecting intrusion and avoidance PTSD symptoms, was associated with increased parental perceptions of their child as difficult (10%). Conclusion Future research directions and clinical implications of these results are discussed for designing parenting interventions with mothers attending substance use treatment who present with PTSD symptoms.

Emotional Competence, Family Social Support and Parental Stress in Mothers of Children with Autism during the Pandemic

This study was aimed to determine the relationship between emotional competence, family social support and parental stress in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This research was a quantitative research with correlational method. Purposive sampling technique by distributing questionnaires using Google form resulted in a total of 165 participants who are mothers of children with ASD, as members of therapy centers and schools for children with special needs in Semarang, Solo and Yogyakarta. The data were analyzed using structural equation model (SEM) technique on Lisrel program. This research resulted in two models showing that there are fit model with empirical data. The first model shows that each of emotional competence and family social support had a significant effect on parental stress in mothers of children with ASD. The second model shows the influence of emotional competence on the stress of parenting of children with ASD, with family social support as a moderating variable. The implications of this study are empirical evidence on the importance of family social support and emotional competence for mothers in raising children with ASD to prevent excessive parental stress.

Effectiveness of Pediatric Teleconsultation to Prevent Skin Conditions in Infants and Reduce Parenting Stress in Mothers: Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundIn Japan, eHealth for infants and mothers is currently an important aspect, but its effectiveness has rarely been examined. For infants, skin problems, including atopic dermatitis (AD), which is known to lead to other allergic diseases, are one of the most common conditions. Mothers of infants are prone to experiencing parenting stress, which adversely affects mothers’ and children’s well-being. Additionally, studies have reported that AD among offspring enhances parenting stress, and postnatal maternal psychological problems can increase the risk of AD in children.ObjectiveThis study evaluated the effectiveness of pediatric teleconsultation for preventing AD in infants and reducing parenting stress in mothers in Japan.MethodsThe study was an open-label, randomized, parallel-armed controlled trial. In total, 318 pairs of infants and mothers in the Yokohama City Sakae Ward were recruited when they submitted birth cards to the ward, received the explanation about the trial, and provided informed consent on the website for this trial. Eligible pairs of infants and mothers were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n=140) or the control group (n=138). Participants in the intervention and control groups received routine postnatal care from local government services. In addition, participants in the intervention group had the option to combine routine pediatric services with teleconsultation and email newsletters without charge from the date of registration until the infant turned 4 months. Primary outcomes were (1) the prevalence of AD in infants diagnosed based on the United Kingdom Working Party criteria and (2) parenting stress and mental status of mothers assessed using the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF) and General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12). Data were collected by the ward office staff and researcher during the 4-month checkup.ResultsThe prevalence of AD in infants was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group during the 4-month checkup (20% vs 33%, P=.02; relative risk ratio, 0.709 [95% CI 0.519-0.969]). No significant differences were observed in the PSI-SF and GHQ-12 scores between the 2 groups. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of AD between participants who used teleconsultation services and email newsletters, participants who did not use teleconsultation services but received email newsletters, and participants who neither received nor used either service (18% vs 22% vs 33%, P=.048).ConclusionsThis is the first randomized controlled trial demonstrating that routine pediatric care combined with teleconsultation and email newsletters was effective in reducing the prevalence of AD in infants. The findings highlight the potential of pediatric eHealth to become a useful new strategy for preventing AD.Trial RegistrationUniversity Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry UMIN000029774; https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000034022

Explaining the causal relationship between meta-parenting and parenting stress with the mediating role of mindfulness and parental self-efficacy in mothers of children with autism

Aim: The combination of mindfulness, parental self-efficacy and extra-parenting has a significant role in reducing parental stress, especially mothers, and parental stress management is important to promote well-being. Methods: The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of parental mindfulness and self-efficacy in explaining the causal relationship between extravagance and parental stress in mothers of children with autism. Correlational research design based on structural equation modeling and statistical population including all mothers with children 2 to 14 years old with autism referred to medical clinics in Tehran in 1400 that 250 people were selected by purposive sampling and Abidin parenting stress questionnaires. (1995) answered the Mindfulness Questionnaire (Brown and Ryan, 2003), the Trans parenting Questionnaire (Hawke and Holden, 2006) and the Parental Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (Dumka et al., 1996). Data analysis was performed using AMOS software version 24. Results: The results showed that the total path coefficient between extravagance and parental stress (p&lt;0.01, β=-0.456) was negative and the path coefficient between mindfulness and parental stress (p &lt;0.01, β=-0.474).) and parental self-efficacy and parental stress (p&lt;0.01, β= -0.386) were negative and at the level of 0.01 were significant that parental self-efficacy and mindfulness were negatively related to the relationship between extra-parenting and parenting stress and mediated meaningfully. Conclusion: Trans parenting directly and parental mindfulness and self-efficacy directly and indirectly predict parental stress in mothers of children with autism. In order to provide interventions to reduce or prevent high levels of parental stress in families, it is necessary to pay special attention to interventions based on mindfulness, self-efficacy and extravagance in parent-child relationships.

어머니의 성인애착과 유아의 정서조절능력의 관계 연구 : 어머니 양육스트레스의 매개효과를 중심으로

This study aimed to investigate whether the parenting stress of mothers exerts a mediating effect on the relationship between the adult attachment of mothers and emotional regulation of infants. In this study, the adult attachment of mothers was measured using ECRR-K, which is a measure translated and modified by Kim Sung-hyun (2004) , whereas the parenting stress of mothers was determined using a measure modified by Kong Tae-ri (2017). Moreover, the emotional regulation of infants was evaluated using the modified by Park Ye-rang (2017). Data analysis was conducted in accordance with the characteristics and objective of the study. Further, correlation, multiple regression, and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were performed. First, the study found that the relationship among the adult attachment of mothers, parenting stress of mothers, and the emotional regulation of infants was significant. Second, the relationship between the adult attachment of mothers, parenting stress of mothers, and the emotional regulation of infants exerted a significant impact on one another. Lastly, the parenting stress of mothers partially mediated the relationship between the adult attachment of mothers and the emotional regulation of infants. These findings are valuable because they can be used as meaningful data for improving emotional regulation among infants and as a basis for acquiring appropriate parenting skills by identifying the importance of the adult attachment and parenting stress of mothers.

Interrelated changes in parental stress, parenting, and coparenting across the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Parental stress is a known risk factor for coercive parenting and for lower coparenting quality. In the present study, we examined whether and how changes in parental stress of mothers and fathers from the pre-COVID-19 period (T1) into the height of the first lockdown in the Netherlands (T2) were linked to changes in coercive parenting of mothers and fathers and to changes in coparenting quality. A total of 96 families (46.9% lower or medium and 53.1% higher educational background), with mother, father, and child (53.1% girls; T1: M age = 3.44 years, SD = 0.32; T2: M age = 4.72 years, SD = 0.61) participated. To examine interrelations between parental stress (reported using the Parental Stress Scale), coparenting, and coercive parenting (both reported using the Parenting And Family Adjustment Scales), a multivariate Latent Change Score (LCS) model was employed. Higher initial levels of parental stress were associated with higher initial levels of coercive parenting and lower initial levels of coparenting quality. Similarly, stronger increases in parental stress were associated with stronger increases in coercive parenting and with stronger decreases in coparenting quality. Directions of associations and effect sizes were similar for mothers and fathers in all analyses. The results from the present study indicate the importance of a family systems perspective in prevention and intervention programs. Promotion of systematic family-based preventive and intervention activities by the government might support families during challenging times, as during the novel COVID-19 pandemic. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

The Role of Maternal Self-efficacy in the Link Between Childhood Maltreatment and Maternal Stress During Transition to Motherhood.

The transition to motherhood is a significant developmental milestone in many women's lives. This transitional period may be more stressful for women with a history of childhood maltreatment (CM) than for women without such a history. This study tested whether parental self-efficacy (PSE) accounts for the link between CM and parental stress in mothers transitioning to motherhood. The study used a convenience sample of 1,306 first-time mothers of children aged two years or younger. Mothers filled out online self-report questionnaires assessing history of CM, PSE, and prenatal stress. Consistent with the hypotheses, exposure to CM was directly associated with greater parental stress. Also, PSE partially mediated the associations between CM and parental stress, such that mothers with a history of childhood abuse reported a lower level of PSE, which in turn was associated with greater parental stress. In conclusion, the study highlights the important role of negative cognitions related to parenting for maternal dysfunction following exposure to childhood abuse. These findings suggest a need to incorporate preventive interventions designed to promote PSE for mothers exposed to CM. Such programs may alleviate parental stress and further support the healthy development of the child.

Depressive Symptomatology and Parenting Stress: Influence on the Social-Emotional Development of Pre-Schoolers in Chile.

(1) Background: The preschool stage is a period of great psychological changes that requires the support of parents and significant adults for optimal development. Studies show that maternal mental health can be a risk factor in parenting, affecting the social-emotional development of children. (2) Methods: The present study seeks to shed light on the relation between depressive symptoms, parental stress in mothers and social-emotional development of their preschool children, using a total of 123 mother-child dyads with low Social-economic Status (SES). In mothers, depressive symptomatology and level of parental stress were evaluated, as well as social-emotional development in children. A possible mediation effect between maternal depressive symptoms and parenting stress is expected. (3) Results: The results indicate that higher levels of depressive symptoms and parenting stress in mothers relate to greater difficulties in social-emotional development of their preschool children. (4) Conclusions: These results are clinically relevant from the perspective of family therapy: Parents need support to decrease their levels of parenting stress in order not to jeopardise their children’s social-emotional development.