This study was to focus on the effect on parenting stress of children's developmental
characteristics, emotionality and mother's self-efficacy, thus to set the structure equation
model. Analysis data was collected from 2078 newborns to be involved Korea Children's
Panel 1st year. The valuables were all measured by mothers. The main results of this
study were as follows. First, children's developmental characteristics and emotionality
had an effect on parenting stress directly. A lower level of children's developmental
characteristics and a higher level of children's emotionality indicated a higher maternal
parenting stress level. Second, mother's self-efficacy also had an effect on parenting
stress level. A lower level of maternal self-efficacy demonstrated a higher level of
maternal parenting stress level. Third, children's developmental characteristics and
emotionality had an effect on parenting stress indirectly through mother's self-efficacy.
Mother's self-efficacy which was affected by children's developmental characteristics
and emotionality aggravated mother's parenting stress. The implication of these findings
are also discussed.