Parenting, the Other Oldest Profession in the World - a Cross-sectional Study of Parenting and Child Outcomes in South Africa and Malawi

Overview

Journal Health Psychol Behav Med

Date 2018 Sep 18

PMID 30221074

Citations 13

Authors

L Sherr

A Macedo

L D Cluver

F Meinck

S Skeen

I S Hensels

L T S Sherr

K J Roberts

M Tomlinson

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Parenting quality is important in child development. In the presence of HIV poverty and life stress, parenting may be challenged and child development affected.

Methods: This study examines cross-sectional associations of situational factors such as poverty, mental health, HIV status, living with a biological parent, and stigma with good parenting and child outcomes (n=989; age=4-13 years) within the Child Community Care study (South Africa and Malawi). A parenting measure was created from 10 variables comprising 6 child and 4 parent ratings. These were highly correlated. Total parenting score was generated on a 10 point continuous scale, with a good parenting cut off then defined as >=8 out of a possible 10.

Results: Five factors were associated with good parenting. Positively associated with good parenting were being the biological parent of the child, parental mental health and dwelling in households with multiple adults. Poverty and stigma were negatively associated with good parenting. Using multiple mediation analysis, a positive direct effect of good parenting was found on child self-esteem, child behaviour and educational risks with a partial mediation via child depression and trauma.

Conclusions: These data highlight possible intervention points. Influences on parenting could be seen through being the biological parent, parental mental health, poverty and stigma. In these challenging environments, health, nutrition, mental health, education, and treatment to keep parents alive are all clearly identified as potential pathways to ensure child well-being.

Citing Articles

CHAMPP4KIDS: Mixed methods study protocol to evaluate acceptability and feasibility of Parenting for Lifelong Health materials in a Canadian context.

Gonzalez A, Jack S, Sim A, Ratcliffe J, Dumbaugh M, Bennett T PLoS One. 2024; 19(3):e0298156.

PMID: 38452022 PMC: 10919627. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298156.

Protocol for the OCAY study: a cohort study of orphanhood and caregiver loss in the COVID-19 era to explore the impact on children and adolescents.

Steventon Roberts K, du Toit S, Mawoyo T, Tomlinson M, Cluver L, Skeen S BMJ Open. 2023; 13(6):e071023.

PMID: 37263702 PMC: 10254791. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-071023.

Maternal adverse childhood experiences, child mental health, and the mediating effect of maternal depression: A cross-sectional, population-based study in rural, southwestern Uganda.

Kim A, Rieder A, Cooper-Vince C, Kakuhikire B, Baguma C, Satinsky E Am J Biol Anthropol. 2023; 182(1):19-31.

PMID: 37212482 PMC: 10524293. DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.24758.

Interrupting the intergenerational cycle of violence: protocol for a three-generational longitudinal mixed-methods study in South Africa (INTERRUPT_VIOLENCE).

Meinck F, Woollett N, Franchino-Olsen H, Silima M, Thurston C, Fouche A BMC Public Health. 2023; 23(1):395.

PMID: 36849941 PMC: 9969039. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15168-y.

'Tipping the balance' - an evaluation of COVID-19 parenting resources developed and adapted for child protection during global emergency responses.

Sherr L, Mebrahtu H, Mwaba K, Nurova N, Chetty A, Swartz A Health Psychol Behav Med. 2022; 10(1):676-694.

PMID: 35957956 PMC: 9359164. DOI: 10.1080/21642850.2022.2104285.

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