Parenting Stress Among Mothers of Toddlers Under Socioeconomic and Financial Constraints: A Clinical Case Report

Abstract

Background: Parenting stress is the psychological pressure parents, especially mothers, feel when struggling to fulfill their caregiving role. It is common among mothers who work while raising children alone without adequate help. Economic hardship is a major trigger, as mothers must divide their energy between earning income and managing the household, especially when husbands provide little financial or emotional support. A history of domestic conflict further adds to this psychological burden. Purpose: To describe the dynamics of parenting stress experienced by a mother facing limited economic resources and minimal support from her husband. Methods: The subject is Mrs. S, a 40-year-old woman with two children (aged 20 and 5), reporting fatigue, anxiety, and distress from financing her first child's education while raising her second child without her husband's financial support, compounded by a long history of marital conflict (past separation and infidelity). Data were collected through interviews, observation, and the Parenting Stress Scale, followed by educational intervention on stress management and identifying available support systems. Results: After intervention, the strain score decreased from 32 to 22 and the pleasure score increased from 14 to 21; stress category dropped from high to moderate, emotional fatigue complaints decreased, and Mrs. S better recognized available social support. Conclusions: Simple, timely education can bring significant clinical improvement in mothers with high parenting stress, even though root problems like economic limitations and minimal spousal involvement remain unresolved. Long-term management should also strengthen social and family support, not just individual stress management.