La edad materna como predictor del estrés para la crianza de niños/as con necesidades de atención temprana

In the scientific literature it is common to find a correlation between the birth of a child with developmental delay or at risk of suffering from it with a higher level of stress in the parents. The aim of this study was to determine which variables most influence the stress experienced by parents of children with early care needs. Method. Four hundred and six parents of 239 children with early care needs, collaborated in this cross-sectional research. The Parenting Stress Index (Abidin, 2012) was administered to measure the stress experienced by the families. Results. A linear negative correlation was found between mothers' age and perceived stress. In addition, the families perceived more stress when children were diagnosed with conduct disorder or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Conclusion. The age of the mothers and the diagnosis of the child are variables that must be taken into account when carrying out a comprehensive intervention on the family unit.