Conceptualization of parenting stress in the context of EMDR therapy

Shapiro's adaptive information processing (AIP) model hypothesizes that chronic parenting stress may result from past distressing parental experiences that were not adaptively processed. Our correlational study conducted a preliminary test of the AIP model to determine if current levels of parenting stress were associated with the number of reported distressing parental experiences. Thirty-five parents, whose children were being treated in a community clinic, were interviewed to identify memories of events related to the onset and aggravation of parenting stress. Standardized measure of present parenting stress was obtained. Regression analysis indicated that the number of reported unprocessed parenting experiences was a strong predictor for the level of parenting stress. The results support the AIP conceptualization of parenting stress and are discussed in the context of the development of an eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) intervention to reduce parenting stress.

Journal

English

Sander, J. A. De Vries
Chris H. Z. Kuiper

De Vries, S. J. A., & Kuiper, C. H. Z. (2017). Conceptualization of parenting stress in the context of EMDR therapy. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 11(3), 139-146. doi:10.1891/1933-3196.11.3.139