Parenting experience: Diagnosis of experienced parenting and intensity of feelings

Abstract

In recent decades, there have been significant changes in families that have influenced how parents care for and educate their children. Positive parenting involves addressing the specific needs that each descendant shows, fostering the full development of their abilities. Literature attests that positive parenting has a positive impact on the well-being of children and that the exercise of inappropriate parenting can cause emotional and behavioral issues. This study aims to assess whether there are sex differences regarding parenting and whether these may be moderated by the family structure (separated vs living together). Stress indicators (positive and negative) that parenting may entail are also taken into account. 2169 parents of children between the ages of 2 and 12 participated. To assess parenthood and psychological distress PAFAS, PRS, CAPES and K-10 was applied. The results reveal inequalities between mothers and fathers. It is the mothers who take the most care of the children and who are most overburdened. There are also inequalities depending on marital status in the exercise of their parenthood, in turn moderated by the sex of the parents. This work constitutes a reference of normality to compare parenthood of parents living in Spain.