The Impact of Parental Stress and Social Support on Behavioral Outcomes of Children in African American Single-Mother Households

The purpose of current study was to assess the relationship between parental stress, social support, and child behavior outcomes among single African American mothers. Mean differences and standard multiple regression analyses were employed to test the associations among parental stress, social support, and child behavior. Results indicated that parental stress and social support are related to internalized and externalized behaviors for African American children. Additionally, social support was found to moderate the relationship between parental stress and child behaviors. These results have implications for future research and interventions with single African American mothers and their children.