Influence of parenting role sharing, parenting stress, and happiness on warm parenting behavior in mothers of children aged 6 years: an analysis using data from the seventh panel study on Korean children

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the relationships among parenting role sharing, parenting stress, happiness, and parenting behavior of mothers with 6-year-old children. METHODS: This study used data from the seventh Panel Study of Korean Children, which began collecting longitudinal data on a sample of newborn households nationwide in 2008 and will continue yearly until 2027. The participants were 1,560 mothers of children aged 6 years. We conducted statistical analyses using descriptive statistics, the t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: The mean age of the mothers was 36.8±3.7 years. The mothers' perceived parenting role sharing (r=.07, p=.007), parenting stress (r=-.54, p<.001), and happiness (r=.38, p<.001) were significantly correlated with warm parenting behavior. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that parenting stress (β=-.47, p<.001), happiness (β=.15, p<.001), and parenting role sharing (β=.11, p<.001) were significant predictors for warm parenting behavior by mothers. CONCLUSION: It is essential to reduce mothers' stress and increase their positive emotions (happiness). Fathers should actively share parenting roles in raising children to enhance mothers' warm parenting behavior.