PENGARUH POLA ASUH IBU BEKERJA TERHADAP PERKEMBANGAN BALITA STUNTING USIA 2-5  TAHUN

Stunting is a chronic nutritional problem that affects children's physical growth and development, especially during the golden period of 2–5 years of age. One factor that influences stunting is parenting, especially among working mothers who have limited time to provide optimal care. This study aims to analyze the effect of working mothers' parenting styles on the development of stunted toddlers aged 2–5 years in the working area of the Karanganyar Community Health Center, Pekalongan Regency. This study used an observational analytical design with a case control approach. The sample consisted of 84 stunted toddlers aged 2–5 years and their working mothers as primary caregivers, selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected through the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ) and developmental screening using the Metro Manila Developmental Screening Test (MMDST). Data analysis was performed using the Chi-Square test and logistic regression. The results showed that the majority of working mothers applied a democratic parenting style, but there was a significant proportion of toddlers who experienced developmental delays. Statistical tests showed a significant influence between the parenting style of working mothers and the development of stunted toddlers (p < 0.05), with permissive and authoritarian parenting styles having a higher risk of developmental delays. The conclusion of this study is that working mothers' parenting styles have a significant effect on the development of stunted toddlers. Family-based interventions and education are needed to improve the quality of parenting despite the time constraints of working mothers.