Hospitalization of child is stressful event for the mothers. Challenges of parenting any child can create a lot of stress. Parenting style is one of the primary determinants of hospitalized child's outcome. Stress is one of the factors which may be influenced by parenting style. This study was aimed at finding the parenting style and level of parenting stress of mothers when their children were hospitalized.

Methodology:

The study was conducted among 40 mothers of hospitalized children in pediatric surgery ward selected by using nonprobability purposive sampling. The design used for the study was descriptive correlative design. The tools used for the study were: Demographic proforma; parenting stress index – short form; and questionnaire on parenting style prepared by the investigator based on the literature review.

Results:

The results of the study showed that majority of the mothers were having moderate level of stress. With regard to parenting, it was found that maximum numbers of mothers were authoritarian. A significant relation was found between level of stress and the parenting style. The study also showed association between level of parenting stress and the variables like family support and socio economic status.

Conclusion:

This study calls for the need of strengthening need based comprehensive nursing care and anticipatory guidance by the nurses in the hospital to establish helpful parenting styles that benefit the child and to keep the stress levels at minimum.

References:

1. Tamar, K and et.al. (1999). Parenting stress and mothers of young children with chronic illness: A cross cultural study. Journal of Pediatric Nursing. 14 (2), 130 – 140.

3. Wolfson, L & Grant, E (2005). Authoritative parenting and parental stress in parents of preschool and older children with developmental disabilities. Child: care, health and development. 32, 177 – 184.