Predicting parenting stress: children's behavioural problems and parents' coping

Abstract

This study examined the effects of child characteristics and parent coping practices on parenting stress, based on a sample of parents of 64 boys with behavioural problems and a comparison group with parents of 128 boys. All parents completed questionnaires about stress, length of education, child characteristics, social support, sense of coherence and coping practices, in addition to interviews in their home about daily activities and relations with the child. A hierarchical regression model for predicting parenting stress was tested, and the results showed that having a child with behavioural problems predicted 57% of the variance in parenting stress. Social support and parental resources and strategies added to the prediction of parenting stress after controlling for family demographics and child characteristics. The parents in the clinical group (with boys referred to psychiatric units) were more often single parents with lower education, more often unemployed, less content with social support, and had lower scores on comprehensibility. These parents were significantly more stressed than parents in the comparison group. All these risk factors might be barriers against establishing a protective frame around a child. These parents, with a difficult child-rearing situation, who perceived less support and had fewer material benefits, seemed to be more vulnerable.

The Impact of Parent Empowerment in Children’s Mental Health Services on Parenting Stress

“…Indeed, parenting a child with significant behavior concerns may account for over half of the variance in parenting stress, further highlighting the impact of child symptoms on parenting stress. The relationship between child symptoms and parenting stress is consistent and persists over time, rather than having a limited and defined impact on parenting stress (Neece et al 2012;Solem et al 2011). Moreover, the parenting stress associated with parenting a child with significant mental health needs may exacerbate the child's symptoms, further worsening their functioning, as well as creating a barrier for parental involvement in services, and thus, may impede parent empowerment Kazdin and Mazurick 1994;WebsterStratton 1990).…”

Efecto de una intervención de promoción de la parentalidad positiva sobre el estrés parental

“…En este estudio se confirma que el fomento de las habilidades para desarrollar la parentalidad positiva mejora el bienestar parental, concretamente a través de una reducción del estrés. Otras intervenciones promotoras de parentalidad positiva como la aquí presentada han mostrado resultados similares a nivel internacional (26)(27)(28)(29)(30).…”

Factors that Influence Parents’ Meta-Emotion Approaches: Implications for Families

“…The combination of variables related to outside parental support, meta-emotion, and stress have not been heavily researched, which further underscores the need of this current study. Previous research has primarily focused on family structures (single and dual parent households) in terms of how outside support may impact their parenting behaviors (Solem et al, 2011). Research has also investigated outside parental support in the form of relationships parents form with others, such as family or friends and how this type of outside support may impact their parenting approaches (Green, Furrer, & McAllister, 2007).…”

“…Parenting approaches and behaviors have received considerable attention throughout the past several decades (Baumrind, 1967;Gottman & Declaire, 1997;Lewis, 1981;Solem, Christophersen, & Martinussen, 2011;Verhoeven, Bogels, & van der Bruggen, 2011). Well-known research on parenting styles has addressed and explored the contribution of numerous variables such as parental characteristics, children's traits, and environmental factors in how they relate to parenting behaviors (Baumrind, 1967;Gottman & Declaire, 1997).…”