Parenting stress characteristics and related factors among female clinical nurses working a shift schedule raising preschool children: a latent profile analysis

ObjectivesTo investigate the underlying characteristics of parenting stress among clinical nurses in Guizhou Province, China, who work shifts and raise preschool children, and the factors influencing this stress.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingThe public hospitals in Guiyang and Zunyi city, Guizhou Province, China.MethodsFrom 1 May to 31 December 2024, a total of 1,140 female clinical nurses were enrolled. A total of 1,108 valid questionnaires were retrieved, representing a response rate of 97.19%. Data collection was conducted using the parenting stress scale for clinical nurses and a demographic questionnaire. Identifying distinct characteristics of parenting stress among female clinical nurses through latent profile analysis, and determining factors associated with parenting stress among female clinical nurses using univariate analysis and multinomial logistic regression.ResultsThe Parenting stress experienced by female clinical nurses can be categorized into four distinct profiles: low-stress profile (10.11%), moderate-stress profile (26.81%), high-stress profile (52.26%) and shift-work-dominant profile (10.83%). The results of the multinomial logistic regression indicate that nurses’ parenting stress is significantly associated with the following factors: night shift (per month) (6 ~ 10, 11 ~ 15, 16~), family atmosphere (average or poor), child’s physical condition (unhealthy), number of children (2and 3~), parenting helper (occasionally and never), department atmosphere (average or poor).ConclusionThis study employed latent profile analysis to identify four distinct subgroups, revealing that night shifts (per month), family atmosphere, the child’s physical condition, number of children, parenting helper, and department atmosphere are factors influencing nurses’ parenting stress. These findings underscore the necessity of developing strategies to address nurses’ parenting stress in order to promote their well-being.