Factors associated with parental distress

Abstract

Problem: Associations of perceptions of social support, personal control, and child behavioral problems to distress in parents of children with mental health problems were examined. Methods: One hundred and fifty-five parents of children 2-19 years old receiving community mental health services participated. Findings: Stepwise regression analysis identified internalizing and externalizing child behaviors, perceived personal control, and tangible social support as independent predictors of parental distress. Independent predictors of objective distress included internalizing child behaviors, perceived personal control, and intangible social support. Conclusions: Internalizing and externalizing child behaviors were significantly associated with parental distress. Perceived personal control moderated the relationship between internalizing child behaviors and parental subjective distress.