Date of Award
1-1-2023
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.A. in Psychology
First Advisor
Sarah A. Bilsky
Second Advisor
John N. Young
Third Advisor
Stefan E. Schulenberg
Relational Format
dissertation/thesis
Abstract
It is important to refine understanding of the impact of adolescent behaviors on parents. In particular there is a need to improve understanding of the potential increase in parental distress caused by challenging youth behaviors. Parenting stress may play a critical role in these processes. Various coping strategies have been associated with different psychosocial outcomes, including anxiety and depression. In contrast, less effective coping strategies are linked to a higher likelihood of meeting criteria for mood or anxiety disorders. Gender differences in stress coping between women and men may contribute to women reporting higher levels of psychological distress, depression, and anxiety. However, there is a lack of research on gender differences in stress responses and coping behaviors among parents in response to the stress of parenting adolescents. This study investigated parental coping strategies for parenting stress and their relationship to affective symptoms, including gender differences. The results indicated that mothers reported experiencing lower levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms compared to fathers. Primary and secondary control coping strategies were negatively correlated with symptoms, indicating that these strategies were associated with lower levels of anxiety and depression. Conversely, disengagement coping strategies were positively correlated with symptoms, suggesting that they were associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression. Secondary control coping was negatively associated with parental reactions to stressful interactions. Parental anxiety was linked to increased anger and anxiety responses, while depression showed no significant association. Fathers reported higher disengagement coping than mothers, with no other significant gender differences in coping strategies. These findings highlight the importance of promoting primary and secondary control coping strategies to reduce parental anxiety and depression and improve parent-adolescent interactions.
Recommended Citation
Luber, Maxwell Jared, "Relations Between Parent Coping with the Stress of Parenting and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression" (2023). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2757.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/2757