Predictors of parenting stress among mothers of Turkish children with congenital heart disease.

BACKGROUND

Caring for a child with congenital heart disease (CHD) is physically and psychologically demanding for mothers, often increasing parenting stress. The predictors of parenting stress need to be examined for effective stress management. This study examined the parenting stress experienced by mothers of children with CHD and the predictive factors.

METHODS

This cross-sectional, descriptive correlational study included mothers of 155 children aged 0-2 years who were followed at two hospitals. Demographic Data Form, the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF), Maternal Attachment, Parental Self-efficacy, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and Marital Life Satisfaction Scale were used. The data were evaluated by conducting Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear regression.

RESULTS

Predictors related to the child, mother, and environment were examined. Child-related predictors were determined as the timing of diagnosis (β  = 0.212) and length of hospitalization (β = 0.182). Mother-related predictors included economic status (β = 0.174), maternal attachment (β = 0.162), and parental self-efficacy (β = -0.266). Environment-related predictors included number of children (β = 0.149), positive changes in relationships with spouses (β = -0.136), access to healthcare (β = -0.162), perceived social support (β= -0.184, β = -0.138), and marital life satisfaction (β = -0.195). These predictors explained 52.3 % of the variance in parenting stress (F = 11.895, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Predictors of parenting stress were significantly related to children, mothers, and the environment.

IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE: Nursing interventions can alleviate parental stress by offering comprehensive care and support throughout the disease.