How chronic stress short-circuits parenting

In the best of circumstances, parenting can be a daunting undertaking. Now research from the University of Rochester helps to explain why chronic stress and parenting are such a toxic mix.

The study found that ongoing stressors, like poverty or depression, disrupt the body’s natural stress response, making mothers more likely to engage in a host of problematic parenting behaviors, including neglect, hostility, and insensitivity.

Researchers observed 153 mothers and their 17-to-19-month-old children in individual two-hour sessions. Using a wireless ECG monitor, each mother’s stress response was measured in real time during a mildly distressing situation in which her child was left with a stranger for a few minutes. Later the mother and toddler were videotaped during unstructured playtime together.

Mothers with higher depressive symptoms had higher heart rate patterns that spiked when their toddler was upset. During the free-play sessions, these moms had the highest levels of hostility with their toddler, including derogatory comments, angry tone of voice, and rough physical interaction.

In contrast, participants who struggled with poverty and lived in high-crime neighborhoods exhibited heart rates patterns that began lower and rose little during their child’s distress. During free play, these parents showed the highest levels of disengagement along with intrusive parenting. These mothers were more likely to ignore their little ones and not respond to children’s bids for attention or play.

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