When mum is stressed, is dad just as stressed? predictors of paternal stress in the first six months of having a baby

ABSTRACT The primary aim of this study was to examine predictors of paternal stress within the first 6 months of having a baby in a normative Australian sample, and to compare paternal and maternal stress. In total, 54 fathers and 71 mothers completed self‐report measures of postnatal depressive symptoms, parenting stress, efficacy, responsiveness, attachment, and family and social support. Paired sample t test revealed a significant relationship within couples in their level of parenting stress. Fathers reported lower levels of postnatal depression, responsiveness, and attachment than did mothers. Fathers rated their level of social support to be higher than did mothers. Regression analyses indicated that responsiveness and efficacy significantly predicted paternal stress whereas responsiveness and attachment predicted maternal stress when history of psychological diagnosis and financial stability were controlled for. Results have implications for early preventive parenting programs. RESUMEN El objetivo primario de este estudio fue examinar factores de predicción del estrés paterno dentro de los primeros 6 meses de tener un bebé en un grupo muestra australiano normativo, y comparar el estrés paterno y materno. Cincuenta y cuatro papás y 71 mamás completaron medidas auto‐reportadas de síntomas depresivos postnatales, el estrés de la crianza, la eficacia, la sensibilidad, la afectividad, el apoyo social y familiar. Las muestras pareadas en forma de t‐test revela...
Source: Infant Mental Health Journal - Category: Child Development Authors: Tags: ARTICLE Source Type: research