Parental Stress and Its Association with Demographic Characteristics among Mothers of Children Under Six Years.

Abstract

Introduction: Children under the age of 6 require significant attention and care, which can lead mothers to parental stress if they struggle to balance caregiving demands with available resources. The demographic characteristics of mothers play a crucial role in the level of stress they face. Aim: To determine the level of parental stress among mothers of children under 6 years old and investigate potential differences in parental stress based on their demographic characteristics. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in three primary healthcare centers in Tartous, Syria (Al-Hussein, Al-Qadmous, and Al-Tawahin) during March–April 2024. A convenience sample of 150 mothers of children under six participated. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Parental Stress Scale (Berry & Jones, 1995). Results: The study revealed a low level of parental stress among mothers in the sample. Significant statistical differences (P< 0.05) were found in parental stress based on variables such as social status, number of children in the family, income, and health center, type of house, employment, husband age, and husband presence at home. Recommendations: providing social and psychological support for mothers, as well as offering child and family support services in healthcare centers. It also emphasized the importance of raising awareness among mothers about stress reduction techniques and promoting mental health, developing educational programs to better deal with daily challenges was also highlighted. And enhancing family communication and focusing on self-care for mothers. Furthermore, conducting future studies on a larger and more comprehensive sample.