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Updated: May 5, 2026

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Infant Regulatory Problems and Subsequent Behavioral Difficulties: The Mediating Role of Parenting Stress

Ina Nehring1,2,3, Daria Reitmeier1, Anna Friedmann1,2

  • 1Social Pediatrics, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany.

Children (Basel, Switzerland)
|May 4, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Infant regulatory problems (RPs) can persist and lead to behavioral issues. Parenting stress partially mediates this link, suggesting interventions should address parental well-being to support infant development.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Family Studies

Background:

  • Infant regulatory problems (RPs) can persist into later childhood, contributing to behavioral and emotional problems (BEPs).
  • Parenting stress is a known risk factor for infant RPs, but its mediating role requires further investigation.
  • Understanding these dynamics is crucial for early intervention and support.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between infant RPs and subsequent RPs/BEPs in toddlers.
  • To investigate the mediating role of parenting stress in the relationship between infant RPs and later outcomes.
  • To inform targeted interventions for at-risk infants and families.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the German CoronaBaBY cohort study.
  • Analyzed associations between baseline infant RPs and follow-up RPs/BEPs (approx. 8 months later).
  • Included parenting stress as a mediation variable in statistical models.

Main Results:

  • Elevated infant RPs at baseline predicted both infant RPs and toddler BEPs at follow-up.
  • Parenting stress predicted feeding problems and BEPs.
  • Parenting stress partially mediated the relationship between infant RPs and subsequent RPs/BEPs.

Conclusions:

  • Interventions targeting infant regulatory problems should consider the mediating role of parenting stress.
  • Addressing parental stress is vital for mitigating the risk of later behavioral and emotional problems in children.
  • Further research is needed to identify additional factors influencing infant RPs and subsequent behavioral difficulties.

Keywords:
childrencryingfeedingmediationparentssleeping

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