Parenting stress and the utilization of pediatric services.

Parents' level of stress as measured by the Parenting Stress Index is examined in relation to the utilization of pediatric medical services for children between the ages of 1 and 48 months. The six categories of medical services considered were: Well Visits, Sick Visits, Infections, Diarrhea and Vomiting, Traumatic Injuries, and Other Medical Services. For the first 18 months of age no significant mean difference between stress groups and medical utilization was found. Significant correlations and mean differences were found for the 19- to 24- and the 25- to 48-month age groups in relation to the traumatic injury criterion. Moderate parenting stress is interpreted as potentially adaptive in relation to reducing traumatic injuries.