This study examined predictors of parenting stress and competence within a
sample of 43 immigrant Latino couples, in which some of the then had perpet
rated abuse against their partners. It was hypothesized that more physical
and psychological abuse perpetrated by men against their partners would be
associated with higher parenting stress and lower parenting competence for
fathers and mothers. Results indicated that parenting stress and competence
for fathers and mothers were not uniform. Father's parenting stress was no
t related to the predictor variables, whereas mother's parenting stress was
related only to physical abuse. Father's parenting competence was related
to both physical and psychological abuse whereas mother's parenting compete
nce was not related to the predictor variables. Ii hen comparing Latino fat
hers and Latina mothers, there were differences in parenting stress, with f
athers experiencing less, but no differences in parenting competence.