Predictive Factors of Korean Maternal Parenting Stress and 6- Year Longitudinal Trajectories

The present study investigated maternal parenting stress trajectories in Korean Children Panel Survey using a 6-year latent growth curve model. Four factors-monthly income, maternal depression, infants' negative emotionality,... [ view full abstract ]

The present study investigated maternal parenting stress trajectories in Korean Children Panel Survey using a 6-year latent growth curve model. Four factors-monthly income, maternal depression, infants' negative emotionality, marital conflict-which were from mothers' report examined as the predictors of maternal parenting stress trajectories. Findings were as follows: First, a quadratic latent growth curve was found to characterize the latent growth pattern of maternal parenting stress in our sample, indicating linear change before a decline phase. Second, monthly income, infants' negative emotionality, maternal depression and marital conflict at the first year had relations to the initial level of maternal parenting stress whereas the infants' negative emotionality and maternal depression significantly predicted maternal parenting stress trajectories. These results were discussed with reference to the Korean mental health policy.