Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents
Published on: July 10, 2017
Social Support for Divorced Fathers' Parenting: Testing a Stress-Buffering Model
David S Degarmo1, Joshua Patras, Sopagna Eap
1David S. DeGarmo is a research scientist at the Oregon Social Learning Center, 10 Shelton McMurphy Boulevard, Eugene, OR 97401-4928 ( davidd@oslc.org ). Joshua Patras is a doctoral candidate at The Norwegian Center for Child Behavioral Development at the University of Oslo, Klingenberggata 4, Oslo, Norway 0161 ( joshuap@atferdssenteret.no ). Sopagna Eap is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Psychology, 1227 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403-1227 ( seap@uoregon.edu ).
Parenting support acts as a buffer, reducing the impact of stress on divorced fathers' parenting quality. This support is crucial for maintaining positive fathering practices amidst life challenges.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Family Studies
- Sociology
Background:
- Divorced fathers face unique stressors impacting parenting.
- Social support is theorized to mitigate stress effects on parenting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the stress-buffering hypothesis of parenting in divorced fathers.
- To examine how social support moderates the relationship between stress and parenting quality.
Main Methods:
- Surveyed 218 divorced fathers on parenting stress and social support.
- Assessed parenting quality and support sources (relatives, new partners).
- Analyzed moderation effects of support on stress-parenting links over time.
Main Results:
- Parenting support buffered the effects of role overload and coparental conflict on coercive parenting.
- Support also buffered daily hassles' impact on prosocial parenting.
- Buffer effects were more pronounced over time, highlighting long-term benefits.
Conclusions:
- Social support is vital for divorced fathers, mitigating stress impacts on parenting.
- Intervention strategies should focus on enhancing parenting support for fathers.
- Findings underscore the importance of support systems for maintaining positive fathering post-divorce.
More Related Videos
11:13The Social Dimension of Stress: Experimental Manipulations of Social Support and Social Identity in the Trier Social Stress Test
Published on: November 19, 2015
07:56Assessing the Coherence of Parents' Short Narratives Regarding their Child Using the Five-Minute Speech Sample Procedure
Published on: September 19, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques V
Ending Relationships
Parenting Styles
Authoritarian Parenting
This style is strict and controlling, with little room for open dialogue. Authoritarian parents demand obedience and often enforce rules with minimal warmth. Children raised this way may lack social skills and initiative, usually comparing themselves to others unfavorably.
Authoritative Parenting
This...
Theory of Romantic Attachment in Adulthood
Coping Strategies: Emotion Focused
Bonanno's Theory of Grieving
Resilience
The resilience...