Parenting stress, well-being, and social support among kinship caregivers

Kinship caregivers are a large and growing population in the United States. It is therefore critical to understand this population and their unique challenges and needs. This study aims to add to existing knowledge by exploring the impact of caregiving on kinship caregivers, particularly the stress and social support they experience and the subsequent effect on their well-being. A sample of 152 kinship caregivers completed the Parental Stress Scale, as well as the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the Assessment of Quality of Life via an online survey. Results indicate that parental stress is negatively associated with caregiver well-being. Social support is positively associated with well-being. Social support does not moderate the relationship between parental stress and well-being. This study adds to previous research on kinship caregiving by exploring these variables among a variety of kinship caregivers including, but not limited to, grandparents. Implications for future research, practice, and policy are proposed. •The well-being of kinship caregivers is related to their levels of parental stress and social support.•Parenting stress is negatively correlated to kinship caregiver well-being.•Social support did not moderate the effect between stress and well-being.•Social support had a main effect on well-being.•Further research is needed to better understand how to support kinship caregiver well-being.