Mothers' and Fathers' Reports of Stress in Families of Infants with and without Single-Suture Craniosynostosis

Abstract

Objective To compare relative levels of stress reported by mothers and fathers in families containing infants with and without single-suture craniosynostosis. Design Case-control study. Participants Mothers and fathers of 246 infants with recently diagnosed single-suture craniosynostosis and 253 frequency-matched control infants completed the Parenting Stress Index just prior to their infant’s cranioplastic surgery. Family demographic information and mothers’ ratings of the severity of their child’s single-suture craniosynostosis were obtained. Results Average Parent Domain scores for parents of infants with single-suture craniosynostosis differed little from those reported by parents of control infants; however, Child Domain scores among parents of infants with single-suture craniosynostosis were higher on some subscales, primarily related to unexpected infant health and appearance issues. In both groups, fathers reported higher Child Domain stress than mothers, and mothers reported higher Parent Domain stress than fathers. Case mothers reported greater stress if they perceived their child’s condition as more noticeable to others. Conclusions Prior to cases’ cranioplastic surgery, parents of children with and without single-suture craniosynostosis reported similar levels of stress in relation to their parenting roles and the behavioral characteristics of their infants. Visibility of condition should be considered a risk for increased stress for mothers of infants with single-suture craniosynostosis. Stress differences between mothers and fathers were far more discernible than those associated with the presence or absence of single-suture craniosynostosis.

Life-stress and reactivity by gender in a longitudinal birth cohort at 30 and 35 years

“…The findings are consistent with a number of previous studies [2, 8, 15, 16, 28, 35-37, 42, 47, 52] which also showed that women had greater reactivity compared to Victimization and employment/finance problems were not included in the adjusted analyses due to the absence of statistically significant associations between these outcomes and gender in men across a number of life event domains of: interpersonal relationships [8,16,28,35,47]; family/home stressors [2,15,35,42,45,52] and health problems [29,35]. No statistically significant gender difference was found for victimization which is inconsistent with the literature [29,37].…”

“…First, this study employed a wide range of life event domains to examine gender differences in associations between life events and distress. In contrast, other studies have generally limited examination to specific life event domains such as: interpersonal relationship difficulties [8,16,28,47]; family and home stressors [2,42,52]; and serious health problems [45]. Comparison across domains within the same data set allows a more comprehensive examination of possible gender differences, with individuals serving as their own controls.…”

“…Gender differences in reactivity has also been explored across a number of domains with previous research showing evidence that female reactivity may be stronger than male reactivity. The domains have included: interpersonal stressors [8,28,47], victimization [29,37]; caregiving, pregnancy/parenting [42,45,52]; and chronic illness [29]. However, a number of issues require further consideration.…”

“…However, in a meta-analysis by Davis et al [16], it was concluded that after allowance was made for the additional burden of home responsibilities, women experience more stress in the work place. The inconsistencies reported in the literature may be due to studies which have focused on single life event domains or a limited number of domains such as: interpersonal relationship difficulties [8,16,28,47]; family and home stressors [2,42,52]; and serious health problems [45]. These studies are limited in the extent to which they can inform on other stressful life event domains.…”

Parenting stress in mothers of children with congenital hand or foot differences and its effect on the surgical decision-making for their children

“…Rosenberg et al reported that visibility of the condition should be considered a risk factor for increased stress in mothers of infants with single-suture craniosynostosis. 31 Similarly, Vermaes et al reported that the severity of a physical dysfunction in a child is positively associated with parenting stress. 32 Because congenital hand or foot differences are conspicuous, mothers may have a higher level of parenting stress considering the appearance of their child and, therefore, may have a tendency to seek proper treatments more actively.…”