Work

A longitudinal study of perceived stress, tangible social support, and gender on Mexican American parental feeding practices.

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study examined the association between perceived stress and perceived tangible social support on parental feeding practices in a sample of Mexican American parents of young children. Tangible social support was examined as a potential moderator of perceived stress on parental feeding. Results by parent gender were also examined. METHOD: = 495) Mexican American parents. Random effects models that accounted for the interdependence of couples were used to test hypotheses. RESULTS: = .005, such that for low-stress mothers, going from low to high tangible social support was associated with an increase in pressure to eat behavior. Also, for fathers with low tangible social support at baseline, going from low to high stress was associated with a decrease in pressure to eat. CONCLUSIONS: Perceived stress among Mexican American parents serves as a barrier to healthful feeding practices. However, both cultural and structural forces may influence pressure to eat behavior in this population. Implications for childhood health are examined. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Source: Health Psychology

DOI: 10.1037/hea0001407

Authors: Melissa Flores, Celina I. Valencia, Suzanna M. Martinez, Jeanne Tschann

Institutions: University of Arizona, University of California, San Francisco

Language: English

Topic: Eating Disorders and Behaviors

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Cancer Institute