Abstract
Research has shown parental stress is correlated with children’s challenging behavior (Patel et al., 2022); however, there are limited studies on the unique contribution of children’s internalizing (e.g., withdrawn and anxiety) and externalizing behaviors (e.g., physical and verbal aggression) to parental stress. This study investigates the correlation between parental stress and young children’s internalizing and externalizing behaviors, after the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown. Forty children (22 females), ages 4-5, participated and were accompanied by one parent (33 mothers) in this cross-sectional survey study in 2023 at a University of Idaho laboratory. Using convenience sampling, children were recruited through flyer advertisements distributed to university campuses, local businesses, daycares, schools, churches, in a newsletter, and on social media. Parents completed survey questionnaires while their children participated in a larger research study. Questionnaires included a demographics survey, the Caregiver-Teacher Report Form for ages 1 ½-5, and the Parental Stress Scale. Each child received a gift valued at $40 upon completion. Multiple regression was used to analyze the data, using SPSS software. Results showed that both internalizing and externalizing behaviors were confirmed to be positively correlated with parental stress, but contrary to our hypothesis, the correlation between parental stress and internalizing behaviors was shown to be slightly stronger than externalizing behaviors. The findings of this study indicated the bidirectionality of parental stress and children’s challenging behaviors and the need for empirical attention on young children’s mental health.