Parental stress in at-risk families. The role of parental locus of control

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between parental stress and parental locus of control concerning parenting practices (consistency, responsiveness, psychological control and behavioural control) in situations of psychosocial risk. The moderating role of mothers locus of control on the relationship between stress and parenting practices is analyzed. Data from 69 mothers meeting the following criteria are included: (1) received psychosocial interventions from public family preservation services, and (2) had at least one child aged between 3 and 12 years. The results showed that parental locus of control moderates the relationship between parental stress and parenting practices.