The Interplay of Parental Stress and Mental Health in Shaping Parenting Behaviours and Child Development in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

Parenting constitutes an essential responsibility in shaping a child's emotional, cognitive, and social growth in the contemporary era of the 21st century. This research endeavor sought to explore the complex relationship between parental stress and mental health in influencing parenting behaviors and child development within Ekiti State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was employed for the study. The target population comprised “all parents residing in Ekiti State, with a sample of 300 parents selected through simple random sampling techniques. The instrument utilized for data collection was a self-constructed questionnaire, which underwent validation by three experts in the fields of Guidance and Counseling, Early Childhood Education, and Educational Measurement. A pilot study was conducted involving 20 parents who were not part of the primary study, and the reliability of the instrument was assessed using Cronbach’s Alpha, resulting in a coefficient of 0.81, indicating a high degree of internal consistency. The data gathered were subjected to inferential statistical analysis, with all hypotheses evaluated at a significance level of 0.05. The results demonstrated a significant positive correlation between parental stress and parental mental health. Additionally, findings indicated a significant negative correlation between parental stress and parenting practices. The analysis further revealed a significant correlation between parental mental health and parenting practices. The study concluded that parenting practices serve as significant predictors of child development. Consequently, it is recommended that parents be offered stress management and counseling support, which would enable them to effectively navigate financial pressures, work obligations, and parenting duties, thereby enhancing their mental health and overall well-being.