Level of parenting stress in mothers of singletons and mothers of twins until one year postpartum: A cross-sectional study

Publication date: Available online 21 September 2017
Source:Women and Birth
Author(s): Marjon De Roose, Dimitri Beeckman, Katrijn Eggermont, Elke Vanhouche, Ann Van Hecke, Sofie Verhaeghe
ProblemTo date, it is unclear which factors are associated with parenting stress.BackgroundThere 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.AimTo 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.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 151 singleton mothers and 101 twin mothers were included.ResultsBoth 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.ConclusionCoparenting 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.



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