Parenting stress and its relation to mothers' characteristics and children's age

Objective: This study examines how intolerance of uncertainty, optimism, depression and anxiety, parental self-efficacy, and perceived family support predict parenting stress among Israeli mothers of children aged 0 to 5 and 6 to 17. Background: Literature indicates inconclusive findings regarding differences in stress among parents of children across age groups. The present study examines a comprehensive model of the interplay between parent characteristics and family social context in explaining parenting stress within a heightened stress environment. This model is compared across different child age groups. Method: A cross-sectional survey of 403 Israeli mothers was conducted during active conflict. Correlational analyses and multigroup structural equation modeling assessed predictors of parenting stress and differences by child age group. Results: Parenting stress was positively associated with intolerance of uncertainty and psychological distress, and negatively with optimism, parental self-efficacy, and perceived family support. Psychological distress more strongly undermined self-efficacy and family support among mothers of younger children, while optimism was more protective for mothers of older children. Conclusion: The differential effects across children's age groups reveal a complex web of relationships contributing to parenting stress at different age groups. Implications: Interventions should enhance parental self-efficacy and family support tailored to the child's age.