Variance In Parenting Stress Research Articles

Preschool Children with Hearing Loss: Social Communication and Parenting Stress.

Studies on parenting stress (PS) in parents of children with hearing loss (HL) have found relationships between child behavior, language skills and parenting stress. The role of early social communication skills has not been researched before. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship between child behavior, social communication and PS. The study was performed in a subgroup of a total population sample from the AChild (Austrian Children with Hearing Impairment-Longitudinal Databank) study. Preschool children (n = 81) with all degrees of HL and average cognitive functioning and their families were included, and the Parenting Stress Index (PSI) was used. Through factor component analysis, compound scores for externalizing/internalizing problem behavior and hyperactivity were analyzed. Although mean PS was not elevated, the proportion of those with elevated scores was higher compared with the norm population. There was a strong correlation between child behavior problems and PS (strongest correlation: externalizing problem behavior r = 0.643; p < 0.001). All three problem behaviors accounted for 49.7% of the variance in PS. An indirect effect of social communication on PS was almost completely mediated by problem behavior (especially hyperactivity). The importance of social communication development with respect to problem behavior and PS is highlighted.

Self-forgiveness, Guilt, Shame, and Parental Stress among Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

A mixed-method approach was used to explore and compare self-forgiveness, guilt, shame, and parental stress in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and parents of neurotypical (NT) children. The data were obtained by the Heartland Forgiveness Scale (Thompson et al., 2005), Guilt and Shame Experience Scale (Maliňáková et al., 2019), Parental Stress Scale (Berry & Jones, 1995) and by open-ended questions. The research sample consisted of 143 parents of children with ASD and 135 parents of NT children from Slovakia. The regression analysis confirmed that guilt, shame, and self-forgiveness explained 23% of the variance in parental stress, while the only significant negative predictor was self-forgiveness. Furthermore, shame mediated the pathway between self-forgiveness and parental stress in parents of children with ASD. Parents of children with ASD experience more shame than parents of NT children. The qualitative analysis obtained a more comprehensive understanding of both groups. Parents of children with ASD mostly experienced shame in regard to their child's inappropriate behavior or it being misunderstood by society, while parents of NT children mostly did not feel ashamed of their parenting. Acceptance, social support, religious beliefs, and love from the child were the most often mentioned factors helping self-forgiveness in parents of children with ASD. We highlight the importance of self-forgiveness as a potential coping mechanism for parental stress and suggest focusing on negative aspects of shame in parents of children with ASD.

The magnitude of parental stress is highly variable following pediatric concussion: using the transactional model of stress to understand parent experiences

ABSTRACT Objectives: To use the Transactional Model of Stress to understand variations in parental stress following pediatric concussion. Methods: Mixed-methods design. 49 children with concussion (13.8 ± 2.3 years, nfemales = 27) and their parent (nfemales = 40) were recruited from a specialty clinic. Quantitative data were collected via surveys at the child’s initial clinic visit. Qualitative data were collected through an eleven-question, semi-structured interview with 12 parents. Interview questions focused on post-concussion stressors and data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Multivariable linear regression analyzed predictors of parental stress . Results: Ten of the parents interviewed (83%) described the concussion as having a negative overall effect on their stress, while two parents described the overall experience as positive. Coping abilities and other life stressors were described as reasons for varying stress levels. Neurotic and conscientious personality factors and the child’s quality of life total score accounted for 45% of the variance in parental stress (R2 = 0.451, F(3,33) = 9.03, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Parental stress following pediatric concussion is highly variable. The Transactional Model of Stress appears useful to understand this phenomenon. Future studies should investigate interventions to reduce stress for parents experiencing high levels following their child’s concussion.

Is Parental Mindfulness Associated with Quality of Life and Itch Intensity in Children with Psoriasis and Eczema and Well-being in Parents?

ObjectivesChildhood psoriasis and eczema negatively impact the well-being of children and their parents. Identifying variables that protect against, or reduce, the negative impact of these skin conditions could greatly improve the lives of children with these skin conditions and their parents. We therefore aimed to investigate whether higher levels of parental dispositional mindfulness are associated with lower levels of psychological distress and better quality of life in children with psoriasis or eczema and their parents.MethodsChildren with psoriasis or eczema (n = 180, M age = 10.22, females = 108) and their parents (n = 210, M age = 39.97, females = 183) were recruited from social media and NHS dermatology clinics in the UK. Parents completed questionnaires assessing dispositional mindfulness, parental stress, psychological distress (depression, anxiety, general stress), and quality of life related to their child’s skin condition. Children completed questionnaires assessing quality of life related to their skin condition and pruritus (itch intensity).ResultsParental dispositional mindfulness explained significant amounts of variance in parental stress, parent depression, parent anxiety, parent general stress, and both parent and child quality of life. These relationships were not moderated by skin condition.ConclusionParental dispositional mindfulness is associated with better well-being in parents of children with psoriasis or eczema, and their children. Mindfulness-based interventions for parents may be beneficial for improving well-being in both children with skin conditions and their parents.Trial Registration: https://aspredicted.org/xf429.pdf (see Supplementary Materials A).

Externalizing Behaviors are Associated with Increased Parenting Stress in Caregivers of Young Children with Autism.

Parents of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) report higher levels of stress than parents of typically developing children. Few studies have examined factors associated with parental stress in early childhood. Even fewer have investigated the simultaneous influence of sociodemographic, clinical, and developmental variables on parental stress. We examined factors associated with stress in parents of young children with ASD. Multiple regression models were used to test for associations between socioeconomic indices, developmental measures, and parental stress. Externalizing behaviors, communication, and socialization skills accounted for variance in parental stress, controlling for ASD diagnosis. Results highlight the importance of interventions aimed at reducing externalizing behaviors in young children as well as addressing stress in caregivers of children with ASD.

The relationship between parental stress and mastery, forgiveness, and social support among parents of children with autism

BackgroundParents of children with autism have significantly more parenting-stress symptoms than parents of typically developing children. Therefore, the main goal of the present study was to examine the relationship between personal and social resources among families of different cultures, in which parents are coping with the stress of raising children with autism. MethodTwo hundred and nine (N = 209) participants, including Jewish (n = 105) and Arab (n = 104) participants, completed demographic, mastery, forgiveness, social support, and parental stress questionnaires. ResultsThe study findings demonstrated no significant differences between the groups regarding mastery, forgiveness, or social support. However, a marginally significant difference was found with regard to the age at the time of diagnosis and parental stress. Arab children were diagnosed earlier and Arab parents reported higher levels of parental stress. Hierarchical multiple regressions showed that among the Jewish sample age, education, financial situation, mastery, and social support contributed significantly to the explained variance in parental stress. Among the Arab sample, severity of autism, forgiveness, mastery, and social support contributed significantly to the explained variance in parental stress. ConclusionsThese findings make an important contribution to our understanding of mastery, forgiveness, and social support while helping parents cope with the stress of raising a child with autism. In addition, in multicultural countries, it is important to be aware of differences and similarities in the factors predicting parental stress.

The association between executive functioning and parental stress and psychological distress is mediated by parental reflective functioning in mothers with substance use disorder.

Mothers with a substance use disorder (SUD) have been found to exhibit heightened experience of stress and deficits in executive functioning (EF) and in parental reflective functioning (PRF). Although experiences of stress, EF and PRF are important for caregiving capacities; no studies have explored associations between the phenomena in mothers with SUD. This study aimed to examine the association between EF (working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility) and different forms of stress (parental stress, general life stress, and psychological distress) in 43 mothers with SUD with infants. We further aimed to investigate whether PRF had a mediating function between EF and the experience of stress. The mothers completed self‐report questionnaires regarding experiences of different types of stress, and we also used neuropsychological tests to assess EF and a semistructured interview to assess PRF. Results identified problems in EF were associated with higher parental stress and psychological distress but not with general life stress. Cognitive flexibility contributed uniquely to variance in parental stress, whereas working memory was a unique contributor to variance in psychological distress. PRF had a mediating function between EF and parental stress and between EF and psychological distress. Findings highlight the importance of considering individual differences in PRF when targeting EF in interventions trying to reduce the experience of parental stress and psychological distress in mothers with SUD.

Paternal and Maternal Experiences in Caring for Chinese Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Hong Kong

This paper reports the results of an exploratory study that (i) identified parental stress and competence, parents’ perception of their children's attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, and the parent‐child relationship in caring for children with ADHD; (ii) compared paternal and maternal experiences in these areas; and (iii) examined the effect of children's ADHD behavior on paternal and maternal experiences in Hong Kong Chinese parents. Seventy‐two (59.5%) mothers and 49 (40.5%) fathers participated in the study, in which data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The results showed that: (i) mothers’ level of parental stress was higher than fathers’, but paternal and maternal competence in child‐rearing did not significantly vary; (ii) mothers perceived the child's ADHD behavior more seriously than fathers; (iii) both mothers and fathers had positive perceptions of their parent‐child relationship; and (iv) gender, employment, ADHD symptoms, and parental satisfaction explained the significant variance in parental stress but did not explain the significant variance in parental competence. Implications for social work practice and service development are discussed.

ACCULTURATION AND STRESS IN CHINESE-AMERICAN PARENTS OF INFANTS CARED FOR IN THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

To describe the stressful experiences of Chinese-American parents who have an infant in the intensive care unit (ICU), and to assess the influence of acculturation, parents' characteristics, and social supports on parental stress. A cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational study. A convenience sample of 30 Chinese-American families (30 mothers, 25 fathers) who had an infant hospitalized in 3 ICU sites in the San Francisco area. Measures included: (1) Infant's health data from the medical records and parents' demographic data, and (2) Parental Stressor Scale: Infant Hospitalization, Suinn-Lew Asian Self-Identity Acculturation Scale, and Family Support Scale. The dependent variable was mothers' and fathers' stress levels. Independent variables included personal/family characteristics, acculturation, uncertainty regarding infants' illness, and social supports. The ICU stressors were ranked by both mothers and fathers in the following order: infant's appearance, parental role alteration, staff communication and behaviors, and ICU environment. The combined effects of uncertainty about their infant's illness and its future impact, a strong belief in Asian family values, and lack of support from healthcare providers accounted for 26% and 55% of the variance in parental stress for mothers and fathers, respectively. Findings from this study suggest implications for the education of both families and the ICU staffs.