Stressful life events, psychological well-being, and parenting in African American mothers.

The association of stressful negative life events with mothers' psychological well-being and parenting was examined in 79 African American mothers living in 1-and 2-parent households. Findings reveal that family disruption and work problems were associated with lower maternal acceptance. Family disruption was also positively associated with mothers' firm control of behavior. Family disruption and work-related stress also were negatively associated with mothers' self-esteem. Health-related stress was positively related to mothers' psychological distress. Mothers' self-esteem was positively associated with mothers' acceptance and negatively related to firm control. Mothers' self-esteem mediated the association of family disruption and work-related stress with mothers' acceptance.