The protective effects of social support and family functioning on parenting stress among Hispanic/Latino/a American immigrant parents with traumatic life experiences

A mediation analysis

Bibliographic Data

ID11276451
AuthorsMihoko Maru (0000-0003-3190-4670, Department of Psychiatry Boston Medical Center Boston Massachusetts USA, corresponding author), Ruth Paris (0000-0002-3151-9070, School of Social Work Boston University Boston Massachusetts USA), Meital Simhi (0000-0002-9923-2295, School of Social Work Boston University Boston Massachusetts USA)
Year2023
Volume44
Issue3
Pages348-361
Publication date2023-05-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInfant Mental Health Journal (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0163-9641 • E-ISSN: 1097-0355
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/imhj.22053
PMID36938714
OpenAlexW4327898744
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited97

Despite high rates of traumatic experiences reported among Hispanic/Latino/a immigrants in the U.S., the effect of post‐traumatic stress on parenting stress among Hispanic/Latino/a immigrant parents with young children has been overlooked. The present study tested the direct and indirect relationships of self‐reported maternal post‐traumatic stress symptoms on parenting stress, and the mediating role of protective factors among Hispanic/Latino/a mothers with young children. Baseline data collected from mothers participating in a community‐based child‐parent dyadic intervention were analyzed. Measures included the post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Checklist, the Protective Factors Survey, and the Parenting Stress Index‐Short Form (PSI). The sample included 80 mothers with a child between ages 0–6 years. About 75% of these mothers were migrants from Central America. A multivariate regression analysis showed that maternal post‐traumatic stress symptoms predicted higher levels of PSI, and two protective factors (social support and family functioning/resilience) fully mediated the relationship between maternal post‐traumatic stress symptoms and PSI. Higher social support and family functioning/resiliency may have protective effects on Hispanic/Latino/a mothers with post‐traumatic stress, leading to lower levels of stress related to parenting. Findings underscore the importance of interventions that enhance access to social support and promote family functioning/resilience for Hispanic/Latino/a immigrant mothers with trauma histories to cope better with parenting stress

Checklist · Developmental psychology · Immigration · Mediation · Protective factor · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Psychological resilience · Social support · Traumatic stress · Child Abuse and Trauma · Clinical Psychology · Family Support in Illness · Medicine · Migration, Health and Trauma · Psychology

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