Evaluating daily life stressors in children: Parent-child agreement
Although a large amount of research has been reported regarding the effects of stressful life events (i.e., divorce, severe illness) on children, only a small amount has addressed the measurement of daily life stressors (i.e., school, home, social activities). More specifically, the issue of parent-child agreement on childhood daily life stressors has been relatively unexamined. The present study examined 98 child, adolescent, and parent reports of childhood daily stress. Results indicated that parents underreport daily stress for their children. Specifically, fathers report lower levels of child stress, while mothers overestimate negative affectivity. Finally, younger children reported more daily stress, especially stressful events, when compared to adolescent and parental reports. Gender, daily parental time spent with the child, and family environment had little effect on parent-child agreement. Results are discussed regarding implications for assessment and treatment of childhood stress.
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