Predictors of Parenting Stress for Abusive and Nonabusive Mothers

Abstract

We examined a model of parenting stress for abusive mothers (n = 80) and nonabusive mothers (n = 86) using linear regression analyses. Predictors in the model included (a) the degree to which mothers were bothered by child misbehavior, (b) mothers' general psychological functioning, and (c) observed child behavior during parentchild interactions. Whether abuse status moderated the relations between each predictor and parenting stress was also explored. Results indicated that mothers' psychological functioning significantly predicted parenting stress; however, neither mothers' intolerance for their children's misbehavior nor observed child behavior were significant predictors of parenting stress in the regression model. A test of moderation revealed a significant interaction between parental intolerance and abuse status such that intolerance predicted parenting stress level only for abusive mothers. A comparison of correlations indicated that abusive mothers' level of parenting stress was more closely related to their intolerance for child conduct problems than to the child's behavior during play with their mothers. Findings are discussed in terms of implications for interventions to reduce parenting stress experienced by nonabusive and abusive mothers.

Parenting stress among child welfare involved families: Differences by child placement

“…Some research shows that actual child behavior (measured by teacher report) was associated with higher levels of parenting stress rather than parent perception of behavior (Creasey & Reese, 1996). Other studies have found parenting stress to be unrelated to observed parent-child interactions, and related instead to parent perception (Bigras et al, 1996; McPherson et al, 2009). The relationship between actual and perceived child behavior on stress is complex and likely affected by several factors including type (internalizing vs. externalizing), duration, and severity of symptoms.…”

“…Child mental health is also seen as an individual resource in our model. A parent perceived child mental health problem is a strong predictor of parenting stress (McPherson, Lewis, Lynn, Haskett, & Behrend, 2009). …”

“…The association between depression and parenting stress has been broadly confirmed in the literature, particularly in the postnatal period (Gray et al, 2013; Leigh & Milgrom, 2008) and among parents caring for children with disabilities (Anastopoulos, Guevremont, Shelton, & DuPaul, 1992). Findings from one of the few studies that compared mothers with and without a history of maltreating their children indicated that the maltreating mothers’ had significantly higher levels of both psychological distress and parenting stress compared with mothers without a history of maltreatment (McPherson et al, 2009). Mother's psychological distress predicted parenting stress only for the maltreatment group (McPherson et al, 2009).…”

“…Findings from one of the few studies that compared mothers with and without a history of maltreating their children indicated that the maltreating mothers’ had significantly higher levels of both psychological distress and parenting stress compared with mothers without a history of maltreatment (McPherson et al, 2009). Mother's psychological distress predicted parenting stress only for the maltreatment group (McPherson et al, 2009). …”

Neighborhood disorder, spiritual well-being, and parenting stress in African American women.

“…Data on risk factors for parenting stress suggest that maternal psychological functioning, child health and behavior, parent-child interactions, family poverty, and negative life events predict parenting stress in at-risk populations (Leigh & Milgrom, 2008; McPherson, Lewis, Lynn, Haskett, & Behrend, 2009; Saisto, Salmela-Aro, Nurmi, & HalmesmAki, 2008). The more risk factors women experience, the more they report parenting stress (Nair, Schuler, Black, Kettinger, & Harrington, 2003; Raikes & Thompson, 2005).…”