Maternal depression and parenting stress in English-speaking Latina mothers with a history of adverse childhood experiences

Background: In the United States, Latinx populations report higher prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) compared to non-Latinx White populations. ACEs have been associated with maternal depression and parenting stress, while social support often functions as a protective factor. However, these relationships have not been adequately researched in Latinx samples. Objective: This research aims to clarify the prevalence of maternal ACEs, and the relationships between ACEs, maternal depression, parenting stress, and social support among a sample of English-speaking Latina mothers. Participants and Setting: Participants were 167 English-speaking Latina mothers (average age of 29 years old) with at least one pre-kindergarten aged child recruited from 12 Title-I public elementary schools. Method: Recruitment happened as part of a quasi-experimental effectiveness trial of a universal school-based prevention program. Data from baseline assessments were analyzed using linear regression and bootstrapping was used to assess mediation. Outcome: 67.7% of the sample reported 1 or more ACEs. Multiple regression demonstrated that ACEs (b = 0.30, p <.001) and parenting stress (b = 0.66, p <.001) predicted depression; depression (b = 0.36, p <.001) and social support (b =-0.40, p =.025) predicted parenting stress. The effect of ACEs on parenting stress was mediated by depression (beta = 0.15, 95% CI [0.063, 0.24]). The relationship between depression and parenting stress was moderated by social support (b =-0.08, p =.006). Conclusions: Results suggest that ACEs increase the likelihood of depression and parenting stress; however, social support may buffer the effects of depression on parenting stress among Latinx families, thus increasing family well-being.