The association between parenting stress, children mental health and environmental pollution exposure

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between parenting stress, children mental health and environmental pollution exposure (tobacco smoke). We hypothesize that the association between tobacco smoke exposure and children mental health problems is affected by parenting stress. Method: Data were obtained from Kaunas cohort study (Kaunas KANC, Lithuania). Prenatal and postnatal tobacco exposure was based on mother report. 645 women filled Simplified version of Parenting Stress index–short form (S–PSI/SF, Abidin 1995; Yeh et al. 2001), Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire Lithuanian version (SDQ, Gintilien_e et al. 2004). We used regression analysis to examine a model of these associations. Results: Results indicated that children mental health problems (such as emotional problems, conduct disorder, hyperactivity, peer problems) were significantly predicted by postnatal exposure to tobacco smoke, parenting stress, mother‘s employment status and education, child age and sex. The best model of associations was when all predictors were included and neither parenting stress, neither exposure to tobacco smoke itself were significant predictors of children mental health problems in the regression model. Conclusion: We conclude that exposure to postnatal tobacco smoke and parenting stress both are risk factors for child mental health problems, also SES of child and mother has an important role in these associations.