Parental stress, coping strategies, and maternal quality of life in urban Tanzania: A mixed-methods study

Purpose Maternal quality of life (QoL) is influenced by psychosocial and socioeconomic challenges, particularly in low-resource settings. However, little is known about how parental stress and coping strategies affect maternal well-being in Tanzania. This study examined the relationships among parental stress, coping strategies, and QoL among mothers living in Kigamboni, Tanzania, using a convergent mixed-methods approach. Methods A convergent mixed-methods design was employed, combining quantitative survey data from 186 mothers with qualitative interviews involving nine stakeholders, including parents, educators, and local government officials. The survey assessed parental stress, coping strategies, and QoL. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and multiple linear regression analyses. Qualitative data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Results Problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies were associated with better QoL. In contrast, avoidant coping was negatively associated with maternal well-being. Several sociodemographic factors, including having a child with a disability, lower paternal education, lower household wealth, and single parenthood, were associated with higher levels of parental stress and maladaptive coping. Although parental stress showed a negative bivariate association with quality of life, it did not remain a significant independent predictor in the multivariable model. Qualitative findings identified three major themes: (1) parenting stress as a daily struggle, (2) adaptive and strained coping strategies, and (3) structural and cultural barriers to maternal well-being. Participants described chronic financial hardship, emotional exhaustion, social stigma toward disability, and limited formal and informal support systems as important influences on maternal QoL. Conclusion Maternal quality of life in Tanzania is shaped by the interplay between psychosocial factors and broader social and structural conditions. The integrated findings suggest that improving maternal well-being requires multilevel interventions that strengthen adaptive coping resources while addressing parenting-related stress and broader contextual barriers.