158 Relationship between child emotional and behavioral problems and parenting stress: a cross-sectional study in tertiary-level hospitals of Kathmandu

Abstract EP3.4, e-Poster Terminal 3, September 4, 2025, 11:35 - 13:00 Introduction Parenting children with emotional and behavioral challenges often brings significant difficulties for both the children and their caregivers. The study aims to identify the level of parenting stress, its association with the child’s emotional and behavioral challenges, and variations across factors such as gender, duration, and type of problem. Methods Utilizing a cross-sectional design, data were collected from 334 caregivers of children aged 6–16 years using Parenting Stress Scale and Tej Psychosocial Checklist, which assessed parenting stress and emotional and behavioral problems, respectively. Statistical tests included descriptive statistics, Shapiro-Wilk test, Spearman correlation, Mann-Whitney Test, Kruskal-Wallis Test, and Dunn’s Post-Hoc Test with Holm Adjustment. Results The study results revealed that most caregiver’s experienced minimal to moderate stress levels, with significant variations based on the child’s clinical condition, gender, and problem duration. Caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) reported the highest stress, followed by those dealing with conduct and oppositional-defiant disorders. Mothers reported higher stress levels than fathers. Externalizing behaviors showed a strong positive correlation with parenting stress, while somatic concerns were weakly negative. Also, parenting stress was shown to significantly increase for caregivers dealing with children’s emotional and behavioral problems lasting over three years. Conclusion The findings highlight the relationship of stress and EBP, emphasizing the need for gender-sensitive interventions to support mothers, who reported significantly higher stress levels than fathers. Special focused approaches are essential for caregivers, especially those managing chronic conditions like NDDs, to improve family functioning and child outcomes.