Date of Award
8-1-2002
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Psychology
Abstract
This study examined the differences between mothers and fathers in parenting stress and parental self-competence. Forty-six married couples with children aged 3 -5 years participated in this study. Each parent completed a packet of eight questionnaires: a demographics form, the Parenting Stress Index - Short Form, the Competence subscale of the Parenting Stress Index - Long Form, the Parenting Sense of Competence scale, the Daily Hassles subscale of the Hassles and Uplifts Scale, the Division of Labor scale, the Social Provisions Scale, and the Colorado Child Temperament Inventory. Results indicated that mothers and fathers do not differ in reported levels of parenting stress. In addition, perceived social support was a negative predictor of parenting stress in both parents. Child emotionality and child activity level served as predictors of parenting stress for fathers, but not for mothers. Division of labor moderated the relationship between child soothability and parenting stress for fathers, but not for mothers. Parental self-competence moderated the relationship between child activity level and parenting stress for both mothers and fathers; however, this moderating effect differed between mothers and fathers. Finally, perceived social support was a positive predictor of parental self-competence for both parents when the mother was employed. However, in families in which the mother was not employed, perceived social support was a positive predictor of parental self-competence for mothers, but not for fathers. Implications of these findings and limitations of the study are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Tentis, Erin, "Factors Associated with Parenting Stress and Self-Competence in Parents of Preschool-Aged Children" (2002). Theses and Dissertations. 1055.
https://commons.und.edu/theses/1055