Parenting Stress as a Mediator of Trauma Exposure and Mental Health Outcomes in Young Children

Exposure to potentially traumatic events (PTEs) significantly impacts outcomes for children in behavioral health systems of care (SOCs). The present study built on previous research that found parenting stress influences outcomes for children exposed to PTEs. The sample included 184 young children and their families who were enrolled in an early childhood SOC. Path analyses demonstrated that parenting stress mediated the relationship between the number of PTEs a child experienced and caregiver-reported internalizing/externalizing problem behaviors at baseline. Parenting stress also mediated PTEs and internalizing problem behaviors at 6 months. In response to the culmination of these studies, we discuss ways SOCs can support parents to help alleviate parenting stress. Public Policy Relevance Statement Children's exposure to potentially traumatic events is an enormous public health concern, as this exposure is related to multiple negative emotional, behavioral, and developmental outcomes for these children, particularly when they are very young. The findings of this study indicate that providing support to parents to help them to minimize their stress related to parenting a child who has been exposed to potentially traumatic events will yield significant improvements in the child's behavioral health outcomes.