Influences of Maternal Parenting Stress on Child Behavior Problems: Examining Harsh and Positive Parenting as Mediators

Extant research demonstrates associations between parenting stress and child internalizing and externalizing problems, with evidence that parenting behaviors may mediate these associations; however, few studies have been longitudinal. The current study tested whether harsh and positive parenting mediated associations between maternal parenting stress and child internalizing and externalizing problems. Data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study were utilized, with 2,606 families who completed the year nine wave included (37% less than high school; 60.2% married/cohabitating; 50% Black, non-Hispanic; 24% Hispanic; and 26% White, non-Hispanic). Analyses revealed parenting stress at age three was significantly associated with higher child internalizing and externalizing problems at age nine. Further, positive but not harsh parenting mediated the link between parenting stress and externalizing problems. Parenting did not mediate the association between parenting stress and internalizing problems. Findings suggest harsh and positive parenting differentially explains associations between parenting stress and child internalizing and externalizing problems.