Predictors of Parenting Stress in Early Childhood: A Test of Heterogeneity Among Latino Mothers
Latino children account for 80% of the U.S. population gain for children birth to 19 years old, with the largest concentration of growth between birth and 5 years (Johnson & Lichter, 2010). A disproportionate number of Latino children in the U.S. live in poverty (NCHS, 2012). Economic stress frameworks hold that economic disadvantage can lead to parenting stress. The impact of parenting stress on parenting behaviors and parent-child relationships has been well established. For Latino families with young children, understanding predictors of parenting stress is critical to identifying mechanisms of risk and protection to illuminate potentially modifiable areas for early intervention and prevention of future parent-child relationship strain. Often in disparities research Latinos are examined homogenously, which provides inadequate information about potential differences across subgroups. The purpose of this study is to examine possible predictors of parenting stress among Latino mothers and test for intra-ethnic differences.
Methods:
Data were drawn from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a nationally representative sample of children born in large US cities between 1998 and 2000. In order to explore hypothesized heterogeneity across 3 Latino ethnic groups (Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Central/South Americans), we created a data subset that included mothers self-identifying as Hispanic (n=1,264). Multivariate regression analysis was conducted to examine predictors of parenting stress and test for heterogeneity between sub-groups. Measures meeting psychometric standards include: parenting stress (measured by parenting questions derived from the Child Development Supplement of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics), family structure (single vs. partnered mothers, other biological children), maternal health (self-report assessment of health status) and cultural connection (participation in cultural activities).
Results:
Results demonstrate significant heterogeneity in parenting stress between the three ethnic groups. Mexican and Central/South American ethnic background was associated with higher levels of parenting stress, but not Puerto Rican background. Additionally, Central/South Americans experienced significantly higher parenting stress than Mexicans. Age is also predictive of parental stress but functioned differently across groups. An increase in Mexican mothers’ age was associated with greater levels of parenting stress, but it was associated with lower parenting stress for Central/South American mothers. Mothers’ age did not predict parenting stress for Puerto Ricans. Results also provided insights regarding some similarities across groups, including the strong predictive role of food insecurity and economic hardship on increasing parenting stress and cultural connection’s significant role in decreasing parenting stress. These relationships were consistent regardless of mothers’ age, level of education, maternal and child health status, and family structure.
Conclusion/implications:
Results from this study bring into light the heterogeneity that is often obscured by combining ethnic subgroups into one category. Central/South American mothers were particularly vulnerable to increased parenting stress. These findings provide powerful evidence regarding differences in mothers’ needs from varying ethnic backgrounds and support the crucial role of culturally centered interventions that reduce parenting stress and strengthen cultural connections. The relationship between food insecurity and parenting stress supports previous research and indicates the importance among Latino families of assessing for family need of concrete resources – regardless of ethnic background.