Parenting stress in mothers of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) and full-term infants: A function of infant behavioral characteristics and child-rearing attitudes

Citation
Lf. Halpern et al., Parenting stress in mothers of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) and full-term infants: A function of infant behavioral characteristics and child-rearing attitudes, J PED PSYCH, 26(2), 2001, pp. 93-104
Citations number
48
Categorie Soggetti
Psycology
Journal title
JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC PSYCHOLOGY
ISSN journal
01468693 → ACNP
Volume
26
Issue
2
Year of publication
2001
Pages
93 - 104
Database
ISI
SICI code
0146-8693(200103)26:2<93:PSIMOV>2.0.ZU;2-V
Abstract
Objective: To examine the moderating effects of child-rearing attitudes on the relation between parenting stress and infant behavioral characteristics for mothers of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) and full-term infants. Methods: Fifty-six 9-month-old infants (23 VLBW and 33 full-term) and their mothers were the participants. Mothers completed measures of parenting str ess, child-rearing attitudes, infant temperament, and infant behavioral pro blems. Results: The VLBW infants had a higher frequency of behavioral problems, an d their mothers reported more child health concerns than the mothers of the full-term infants. Regression analyses showed that the relation between pa renting stress and infant distress was moderated at medium and high levels of parental strictness for only the VLBW infants. Conclusions: The amount of stress the mothers of the VLBW infants experienc ed was a result of the congruence between their infant's behavioral charact eristics and their own child-rearing attitudes.