Relationship between parenting stress and children's behavioral characteristics in Japan

Abstract

Background The evaluation of a child tends to differ between the mother and father regardless of whether the child has a disability or not, although parents have key information about the behavioral characteristics of the child. The number of reports in Japan, however, is limited. We, therefore, investigated the relationship between the parenting stress experienced by parents of non‐clinical preschool children and the children's behavioral characteristics. Method The subjects were 83 pairs of mothers and fathers with non‐clinical children in kindergarten and nursery school (average age, 59.1 ± 13.0 months; 36 boys, 47 girls). The study was conducted using the Parenting Stress Index–Short Form (PSI‐SF) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Results There was no difference in the PSI‐SF scores between mothers and fathers, but hyperactivity/inattention, peer relationship problems, and the total score of the SDQ were significantly higher in fathers. On multiple regression analysis, parenting stress experienced by fathers was significantly related to hyperactivity/inattention, while parenting stress experienced by mothers was significantly related to peer relationship problems and emotional symptoms. Conclusion Children's behavioral characteristics related to parenting stress differ between mothers and fathers.

Mothers and fathers of pre-school children: a study on parenting stress and child’s emotional-behavioral difficulties

“…Thus, the literature on this matter is mixed, and Neece et al ( 2012 ) suggested the existence of a bidirectional relationship between mothers’ and fathers’ parenting stress and children’s behavior problems. Furthermore, in line with the current literature (Kochanova et al, 2022 ; Rodriguez et al, 2019 ; Tokunaga et al, 2019 ), the present results also showed that parenting stress seems to be linked to partners’ perceptions of children’s behavioral functioning. However, as mentioned above, despite rigorous studies, the literature is inconsistent regarding of unidirectional or bidirectional associations between parenting stress and children’s behavior problems (Jiang et al, 2022 ).…”

The Association between Parenting Confidence and Later Child Mental Health in the Area Affected by the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster: The Fukushima Health Management Survey

“…Moreover, higher ORs of internalizing problems (i.e., emotional symptoms and peer relationship problems) were aligned with previous research on Japanese samples; maternal parenting stress is related to emotional symptoms and peer relationship problems in their children [ 57 ]. Unlike externalizing problems, higher risks for internalizing problems were present not only in mothers lacking confidence, but also in mothers who were not sure about their parenting.…”

Do allergic clinical manifestations increase the risk of behavioral problems in children? A cross‐sectional study

“…A study by Tokunaga et al examined the impact of parenting stress in this context and found that paternal stress was significantly associated with hyperactivity/inattention, while maternal stress was significantly associated with difficulties in peer relationships and emotional symptoms. 18 However, parenting stress may be the effect, not the cause, of childhood behavioral problems. Parenting stress may increase because of a child's behavioral problems.…”

“…This evidence notwithstanding, previous studies on the relationship between allergic clinical manifestations and childhood behavioral problems often failed to consider the impact of parental factors associated with children's psychosocial development. A study by Tokunaga et al examined the impact of parenting stress in this context and found that paternal stress was significantly associated with hyperactivity/inattention, while maternal stress was significantly associated with difficulties in peer relationships and emotional symptoms 18 . However, parenting stress may be the effect, not the cause, of childhood behavioral problems.…”