Parenting Through Adversity: How Parenting Stress Mediates the Effects of Discrimination on Father-Child Closeness

Abstract

Discrimination has well-documented psychological effects, yet its impact on parenting and family dynamics remains underexplored. This study examined the relationships among perceived discrimination, parenting stress, and father–child closeness, testing whether parenting stress mediates the association between discrimination and closeness. Data were collected from 305 fathers of children aged 3–12. Structural equation modeling indicated that discrimination significantly predicted higher parenting stress (β = 0.104, p < 0.001) and lower father–child closeness (β = −0.106, p < 0.001). Parenting stress was negatively associated with father–child closeness (β = −0.337, p < 0.001) and partially mediated the relationship between discrimination and closeness (indirect β = −0.035, p < 0.001). The total effect of discrimination on father–child closeness was −0.141 (p < 0.001). These findings suggest that discrimination-related stress can disrupt father–child bonds, highlighting the importance of interventions that support fathers in managing stress to strengthen family relationships.