Wellbeing and protective factors in parents of typically developing young children

Abstract

Background: While parents of young children experience challenges to their wellbeing, there is limited research investigating potential protective factors. This study explored the association between potential protective factors (i.e., distress tolerance, emotion regulation, self-efficacy, resilience, and perceived social support) and wellbeing in parents of young, typically developing children. Methods: Participants included 99 parents (92.9% female, MParent Age = 32.95, SD = 5.134) of young (MChild Age = 24.46months, SD = 15.38), typically developing children recruited in Canada. Participants completed an online questionnaire consisting of demographics, wellbeing, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, self-efficacy, resilience, and perceived social support. Results: Significant associations were observed between wellbeing and all protective factors (p < .01). Results from linear multiple regression demonstrated that the model accounted for 41.6% of the variance in wellbeing F = (6, 98) = 12.65, p < .001, with emotion regulation (p < .05) and social support (p < .05) being significant predictors. Conclusions: Relationships exist between wellbeing and protective factors in parents of young, typically developing children. Protective factors account for a large proportion of the variance in parent wellbeing. Impact: The findings highlight potential contributory factors to parent wellbeing. As such, findings identify factors that may represent important targets (i.e., emotion regulation and social support) for programs or interventions focused on supporting and/or bolstering parent wellbeing.