Factors associated with stress responses during childcare in mothers with 3–4-month-old infants: a structural equation modeling approach

A relationship has been reported between childcare stress, coping behavior, and stress response in mothers. However, most previous studies have focused on bilateral associations, and few have clarified how these constituent factors interact within the stress process. This study aimed to identify factors associated with stress responses in mothers 3–4 months postpartum—a period characterized by a high incidence of depression. This cross-sectional study included 300 mothers who visited a city health center in Aichi Prefecture for their infants’ 4-month-old health checkups from August to September, 2022, and from February to May, 2023. Data were collected via self-administered questionnaire surveys. We investigated basic attributes, childcare stressors, cognitive appraisal, coping behavior, and stress responses. Structural equation modeling was performed on the surveyed variables. Structural equation modeling analysis revealed a positive association between childcare stressors and stress response (β = 0.465, p < 0.001) and a negative association between stress response and coping behavior (β = −0.237, p < 0.05). This study revealed that childcare stressors and coping behaviors were associated with maternal stress responses. The survey in the current study was conducted at a single time point, and further longitudinal research is needed. (197 words)