The Predictive Role of Cognitive Distortions And Need for Cognitive Closure on Parenting Stress

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of parents' cognitive distortions and cognitive need for closure levels on parenting stress. The data were collected by purposive sampling method and the sample consisted of a total of 380 parents, 188 male (49.5%) and 192 female (50.5%), who had at least one child. Relational survey model was used in the conduct of the study. Personal Information Form, Parenting Stress Scale, Cognitive Distortions about Relationships Scale and Need for Closure Scale were used as data collection tools. Independent samples t test, one-factor analysis of variance, correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were performed using SPSS 29.0 package program. As a result of the study, it was found that parents' parenting stress levels differed significantly according to the duration of marriage variable, cognitive distortions differed significantly according to the number of children, and cognitive need for closure levels differed significantly according to gender and age. There was a low level significant positive correlation between Parenting Stress and Cognitive Distortions. Furthermore, a very weak relationship was observed between parenting stress and need for cognitive closure, whereas a moderately positive and statistically significant relationship was found between cognitive distortions and need for cognitive closure. As a result of the analysis, it was found that parents' cognitive distortions predicted parenting stress levels positively, while cognitive need for closure levels predicted parenting stress levels negatively and significantly.