Brief report: Predictors of parenting stress among parents of children with biochemical genetic disorders

Objective To examine predictors of parenting stress in parents whose children were diagnosed with a biochemical genetic disorder clinically or through newborn screening. Methods Parents of 263 children with biochemical genetic disorders (139 identified by newborn screening, 124 identified clinically) completed interviews focused on child health, medical service use, satisfaction with services, parenting stress, and family functioning. Results Multiple regression analyses suggested that child adaptive functioning, parental satisfaction with support, and difficulties parents experienced meeting their child's health care needs were associated with scores on the Parenting Stress Index (R-2 = .51). Conclusions Initiatives to improve child adaptive functioning and parental support as well as practical assistance to help parents meet their child's health needs may reduce parental stress and family disruption in this population.