Aim

Parenting stress is associated with less optimal outcomes for children. Risk factors contributing to parenting stress in healthy toddlers have received little empirical attention. This study sought to determine the factors that are associated with parenting stress in parents of 18-month old children.

Methods

We analyzed cross-sectional survey data from a prospective cohort study focused on parent–child mealtime interactions. Families with an 18-month-old child were recruited in Columbus, Ohio, USA between December 2017 and May 2019. Adjusted stepwise linear regression models estimated associations between child factors (e.g., temperament), parental factors (e.g., depressive symptoms), quality of romantic relationship factors (e.g., adult attachment style), and home environment factors (e.g., household income) and parenting stress (Parental Distress subscale of the Parenting Stress Index-4 Short Form).

Results

The 299 children included 129 (43%) females. Parents were on average 30.6 (SD 6.1) years old and included a diverse racial/ethnic cohort. Mean Parental Distress score was 24.3 (SD 6.8; score range 12-60). Higher Parental Distress scores were associated with greater parental depressive symptoms (B= 5.1 [95% CI: 2.4, 7.7]) and avoidant (B= 2.8 [95% CI: 0.9, 4.6]) attachment style. Other child, parental, and home environment factors did not demonstrate statistically significant relationships with parental distress in the final model.

Conclusion

Our findings align with recommendations for pediatric providers to screen for parenting stress and mental health.