Influence of parenting role sharing, parenting stress, and happiness on warm parenting behavior in mothers of children aged 6 years: an analysis using data from the seventh panel study on Korean children

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the relationships among parenting role sharing, parenting stress, happiness, and parenting behavior of mothers with 6-year-old children.Methods: This study used data from the seventh Panel Study of Korean Children, which began collecting longitudinal data on a sample of newborn households nationwide in 2008 and will continue yearly until 2027. The participants were 1,560 mothers of children aged 6 years. We conducted statistical analyses using descriptive statistics, the t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression.Results: The mean age of the mothers was 36.8±3.7 years. The mothers' perceived parenting role sharing (r=.07, <i>p</i>=.007), parenting stress (r=-.54, <i>p</i><.001), and happiness (r=.38, <i>p</i><.001) were significantly correlated with warm parenting behavior. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that parenting stress (β=-.47, <i>p</i><.001), happiness (β=.15, <i>p</i><.001), and parenting role sharing (β=.11, <i>p</i><.001) were significant predictors for warm parenting behavior by mothers.Conclusion: It is essential to reduce mothers' stress and increase their positive emotions (happiness). Fathers should actively share parenting roles in raising children to enhance mothers' warm parenting behavior.