Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #108670

Kristine Siefert, PhD, MPH¹, Tracy L. Finlayson, BS², Amid Ismail³, Jorge Delva, PhD¹, David R. Williams, PhD⁴, Ashley Amaya, BA⁵, and James Lepkowski, PhD⁵. (1) School of Social Work, NIMH Reseach Center on Poverty, Risk, and Mental Health, University of Michigan, 1080 S. University, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, (734) 763-6201, ksiefert@umich.edu, (2) School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 109 S. Observatory, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, (3) School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, 1011 N. University, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1078, (4) Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Dept. of Sociology and Survey Research Center, PO Box 1248, Ann Arbor, MI 481-06-1248, (5) Survey Research Center, University of Michigan, Institute for Social Research, 426 Thompson St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Objectives. This study presents new findings on the effects of poverty and perceived discrimination on parenting stress among African American mothers of children aged 0-5 in Detroit, Michigan. Maternal stress due to parenting responsibilities has been linked to adverse effects on child health and development. Poverty increases the risk of exposure to stressful life conditions, but the specific aspects of poverty that influence parenting stress are poorly understood. Moreover, although African Americans report more experiences of discrimination than whites, regardless of socioeconomic status, the effects of discrimination on parenting stress are unknown.

Methods. Data are from the Detroit Dental Health Project (NIDCR Grant U-54DE1461-01). The sample included 838 mothers of children under 5 randomly sampled from the 39 poorest census tracts in Detroit. We estimated five linear regression models to examine the effects of traditional demographic factors, poverty-related risk factors, availability of material support, self-reported experiences of everyday discrimination, and emotional support and religiosity on maternal reports of parenting stress.

Results. Specific, modifiable poverty-related risk factors, including household food insufficiency and deteriorated housing, significantly predicted maternal reports of parenting stress, while availability of childcare, transportation, and emotional support were protective. Discrimination was highly significant in predicting maternal stress. For each 1-unit increase on the six-point Everyday Discrimination scale, the level of maternal stress increased by 0. 6 standard deviations, a value of 0.23 in real terms.

Conclusion. If confirmed by further research, these findings have practical implications for practice, programs, and policies to reduce maternal stress and promote child well-being.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to

• Describe specific and modifiable risk and protective factors for parenting stress in poor African American mothers of young children.
• Discuss interventions at the practice, program, and policy levels to prevent parenting stress in this population.

Keywords: Adult and Child Mental Health, African American

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.