Published in PLOS One on 2026-09-25, this study is presented as an attributed evidence briefing. The excerpts below are the original researchers’ words, reproduced under their Creative Commons Attribution licence. Health Signal has selected the abstract and, where needed, opening background paragraphs; the complete methods, results, limitations and references remain in the linked paper.
Original authors: Hye-Kyung Oh, Boram Lee
Source: PLOS One • DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0358956
Read the complete primary study ↗ · Creative Commons Attribution licence
From the researchers
Abstract
Maternal quality of life (QoL) is influenced by psychosocial and socioeconomic challenges, particularly in low-resource settings. However, little is known about how parental stress and coping strategies affect maternal well-being in Tanzania. This study examined the relationships among parental stress, coping strategies, and QoL among mothers living in Kigamboni, Tanzania, using a convergent mixed-methods approach.
A convergent mixed-methods design was employed, combining quantitative survey data from 186 mothers with qualitative interviews involving nine stakeholders, including parents, educators, and local government officials. The survey assessed parental stress, coping strategies, and QoL. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and multiple linear regression analyses. Qualitative data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.
Problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies were associated with better QoL. In contrast, avoidant coping was negatively associated with maternal well-being. Several sociodemographic factors, including having a child with a disability, lower paternal education, lower household wealth, and single parenthood, were associated with higher levels of parental stress and maladaptive coping. Although parental stress showed a negative bivariate association with quality of life, it did not remain a significant independent predictor in the multivariable model. Qualitative findings identified three major themes: (1) parenting stress as a daily struggle, (2) adaptive and strained coping strategies, and (3) structural and cultural barriers to maternal well-being. Participants described chronic financial hardship, emotional exhaustion, social stigma toward disability, and limited formal and informal support systems as important influences on maternal QoL.
Maternal quality of life in Tanzania is shaped by the interplay between psychosocial factors and broader social and structural conditions. The integrated findings suggest that improving maternal well-being requires multilevel interventions that strengthen adaptive coping resources while addressing parenting-related stress and broader contextual barriers.
Introduction
Tanzania is a country in the African region and is relatively politically and socially stable, with high development potential [1]. Although Tanzania’s poverty rate is declining, strong population growth is causing the total number of people in poverty to rise [2]. Poverty has a significant impact on reducing maternal responsiveness and increasing the parental stress of mothers [3]. Specifically, women remain a socially and economically disadvantaged group compared with men, experiencing lower economic status, higher unemployment, and fewer educational opportunities in Tanzania [1]. Mothers are the primary caregivers of children [4], and these socioeconomic disadvantages may place them at increased risk of psychological distress and reduced quality of life while raising their children [1–3].
Parental stress is defined as the difficulties and challenges of parenting while caring for their children [5]. Previous studies have shown that economic factors such as unemployment and housing conditions are associated with higher parental stress [6], and poverty has consistently been identified as a major contributor to parenting-related stress [7]. Vulnerability factors, including limited income and educational opportunities, further increase parental stress [6,8]. Parental stress has also been identified as one of the strongest predictors of maternal quality of life and parent-child relationships [9–13]. Therefore, understanding parental stress is essential for improving maternal well-being, particularly in low-resource settings such as Tanzania. According to the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, the impact of stressful experiences depends not only on the stressors themselves but also on how individuals appraise and cope with them [14,15]. Accordingly, coping strategies may represent an important psychosocial factor associated with maternal quality of life among mothers experiencing parenting-related stress.
Reading this evidence
Use the full paper to check the study design, participant selection, comparator and outcome definitions before drawing a practical conclusion. An association does not by itself show cause and effect. A reported performance measure needs its denominator and uncertainty. A finding from a particular facility, sample or time period should retain that scope when it is discussed elsewhere.
This briefing makes the source accessible within the wider public health desk. It does not assess an individual patient or certify a product. When considering relevance to another health system, examine the original authors’ account of context and limitations, then seek local implementation evidence. The related reporting below provides other studies to read alongside this one; it is a topic connection, rather than a claim that their results are directly comparable.
© 2026 Hye-Kyung Oh, Boram Lee. Excerpts reproduced under CC BY. Selection, formatting and contextual notes by Health Signal. The researchers are the authors of the source study, not members of Health Signal’s staff.
Explore connected evidence
- Evidence brief: Spatial distribution and factors associated with co-occurrence of anemia and undernutrition among children aged 6–59 months in East Africa
- Evidence brief: Concurrent coverage and determinants of vitamin A supplementation and deworming among children aged 12–59 months in 15 Sub-Saharan African countries
- Evidence brief: Seasonal trends and short-term association between meteorological factors and diarrheal diseases among children under five in Tanzania
