Abstract
Problem
To date, it is unclear which factors are associated with parenting stress.
Background
There are no studies investigating the association between parenting stress and coping
strategies such as coparenting and social support, while simultaneously considering
demographic and obstetric factors, in mothers of singletons and twins.
Aim
To investigate if parenting stress is associated with personal, and obstetric characteristics,
the level of coparenting, and the availability of and satisfaction with social support
in mothers of singletons and twins until one year postpartum.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 151 singleton mothers and 101 twin
mothers were included.
Results
Both singleton and twin mothers experiencing lower parenting stress levels indicated
a better coparenting relationship quality (β = −0.253, p < 0.01; β = −0.341, p = 0.001). Elevated parenting stress levels positively influenced the level of satisfaction
with social support in only mothers of twins (β = 0.273, p < 0.01). The availability of social support, personal, and obstetric characteristics
were not associated with the level of parenting stress in neither singleton nor twin
mothers.
Conclusion
Coparenting seems to be a significant coping strategy reducing the level of parenting
stress in singleton and twin mothers, irrespective of their personal and obstetric
characteristics. Large-scale longitudinal research is needed to identify predictors
of parenting stress, which may help to develop parenting stress reducing interventions.
The acknowledgement and support of an adequate coparenting relationship quality by
health care professionals might be an important factor to include in such interventions.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 20, 2017
Accepted:
September 1,
2017
Received in revised form:
August 23,
2017
Received:
May 15,
2017
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 Australian College of Midwives. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
