Background: Previous studies have shown that the transition to parenthood elicits stress in parents, which may have negative consequences for their children, especially in their first years of life...Show moreBackground: Previous studies have shown that the transition to parenthood elicits stress in parents, which may have negative consequences for their children, especially in their first years of life. Yet, knowledge of paternal stress and its risk factors is scarce, because fathers have been neglected in parenting research. In the current study we, therefore, examined whether a history of child maltreatment, a thoroughly studied risk factor for stress in mothers, predicted parenting stress in fathers, making a clear distinction between neglect and abuse. Additionally, exploratory analyses were run to investigate the possible role of paternal protective tendencies. Method: First-time fathers with children up to three years old were recruited via social media platforms and via clinical facilities that offer perinatal care to fill out an online questionnaire. Results: A total of 210 fathers participated, who were mainly highly educated (72,4% bachelor’s degree or higher). Findings showed a significant positive association between childhood neglect and parenting stress. No mediating or moderating role of parental motivation for protection was found, however, a direct positive association was found between childhood abuse and parental motivation for protection. Conclusion: Current results underscore the importance of supporting fathers with a history of neglect in the early postnatal period and highlight the importance of distinguishing different types of childhood maltreatment. Furthermore, it suggests that fathers have a higher motivation to protect their children after experiencing childhood abuse, emphasizing the importance of more research into the possible overprotection tendencies of abused fathers. Longitudinal and experimental research is needed to support these findings and to unravel the mechanisms that cause paternal stress and factors that may buffer the negative consequences of childhood maltreatment.Show less
Child abuse is a big problem in the Netherlands. A big group of children is structurally exposed to (severe) child abuse. Several risk factors can contribute to the development of child abuse...Show moreChild abuse is a big problem in the Netherlands. A big group of children is structurally exposed to (severe) child abuse. Several risk factors can contribute to the development of child abuse within families. This study aims to investigate whether several aspects of parenting are able to predict the severity of child abuse within families. The sample consisted of 627 Dutch parents that have recently experienced child abuse within their family. The parents filled in self-report questionnaires about themselves, their children and their experiences with child abuse under the supervision of student-researchers. Topics covered in the questionnaire were, among others, the experience of child abuse within the family, the way situations were handled, the level of experienced parenting stress, the level of warmth and involvement shown to the child(ren) and the professional help that the family received. Results showed that the level of parenting stress that parents experience is a positive significant predictor of the severity of child abuse within families. The level of warmth and involvement that parents show towards their children appeared to be a negative significant predictor of the severity of child abuse. However, the level of parental warmth and involvement did not seem to play a significant role in the relationship between parenting stress and severity of child abuse. Gender of the parent was a nonsignificant predictor of the severity of child abuse and did not seem to play a significant role in the relationship between parenting stress and severity of child abuse. The results of the study show that parenting stress can be an important risk factor for severe child abuse, while parental warmth and involvement may be an important protective factor. It is important to take these aspects into account when offering professional help and in future research.Show less
Child abuse is a big problem in the Netherlands. A big group of children is structurally exposed to (severe) child abuse. Several risk factors can contribute to the development of child abuse...Show moreChild abuse is a big problem in the Netherlands. A big group of children is structurally exposed to (severe) child abuse. Several risk factors can contribute to the development of child abuse within families. This study aims to investigate whether several aspects of parenting are able to predict the severity of child abuse within families. The sample consisted of 627 Dutch parents that have recently experienced child abuse within their family. The parents filled in self-report questionnaires about themselves, their children and their experiences with child abuse under the supervision of student-researchers. Topics covered in the questionnaire were, among others, the experience of child abuse within the family, the way situations were handled, the level of experienced parenting stress, the level of warmth and involvement shown to the child(ren) and the professional help that the family received. Results showed that the level of parenting stress that parents experience is a positive significant predictor of the severity of child abuse within families. The level of warmth and involvement that parents show towards their children appeared to be a negative significant predictor of the severity of child abuse. However, the level of parental warmth and involvement did not seem to play a significant role in the relationship between parenting stress and severity of child abuse. Gender of the parent was a nonsignificant predictor of the severity of child abuse and did not seem to play a significant role in the relationship between parenting stress and severity of child abuse. The results of the study show that parenting stress can be an important risk factor for severe child abuse, while parental warmth and involvement may be an important protective factor. It is important to take these aspects into account when offering professional help and in future research.Show less
This study aims to identify the factors that are of influence on parenting stress in parents of autistic children. Previous studies have found that parents of autistic children experience more...Show moreThis study aims to identify the factors that are of influence on parenting stress in parents of autistic children. Previous studies have found that parents of autistic children experience more parenting stress than parents of children without autism or other diagnoses. Parenting stress can result in negative outcomes for the family as stressed parents tend to provide less effective stimulation for the development of the child. Stressed parents also have a higher risk of becoming depressed and having a decreased physical health. The influence of children’s age, parental educational level, the behavioural problems, autistic symptoms of the child and of their parents, on parenting stress were investigated in a group of 39 autistic Dutch children. Children were between the ages of 8 and 17 years old. A control group of non-autistic children (n = 84, Age min = 9, max = 14) was used to examine whether or not parenting stress was higher among the parents of the autistic children. Parenting stress was quantified using the Nijmeegse Ouderlijke Stress Index, behavioural problems with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and the Autism Quotient-test was used to measure the severity of autistic symptoms in the children and parents. Results indicated that: (1) The parents of the autistic children reported significantly higher levels of parenting stress than the parents of the non-autistic children. (2) Higher levels of education in mothers and more severe autistic symptoms in the autistic children and parents is a significant predictor for the level of parenting stress. (3) Behavioural problems of the autistic children were significantly related to parenting stress. These results confirm previous research, but also shed new light on factors associated with parenting stress in parents of autistic children. This knowledge can be used in psycho-education, prevention and intervention methods for parents of autistic children.Show less
