PERCEIVED STRESSORS AND COPING STRATEGIES OF PARENTS WITH DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED CHILDREN (STRESSORS).
Contributors: University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Published: 1991
Number of pages: 154
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Education, Special.; Psychology, Social.
Description: The purposes of this study were to describe perceived stressors and coping strategies of parents with developmentally disabled children and to ascertain if there were gender differences in perception of stressors and coping. The Neuman Systems Model and the Lazarus stress-coping model were articulated to guide the study. Hymovich's Parent Perception Inventory and the Ways of Coping Questionnaire were used for data collection.

A convenience sample of 203 parents of developmentally disabled children participated in the study. Data were examined from two perspectives. One group consisted of individual mothers and fathers in the total sample. The second group consisted of couples (mothers and fathers or primary female and male caretakers). Descriptive statistics and stepwise discrimination analysis were used to measure stressors and coping strategies and to ascertain gender differences.

The stressor reported by the largest number of mothers and fathers was concern about the child's future. In the total sample, there were significant differences between mothers and fathers in perception of stressors which were concerns about agencies to provide care, the child's health, sexual relations with spouse or partner, and having enough insurance to meet expenses of child care.

The coping strategies reported by the largest number of mothers were categorized as seeking social support problem-solving, and positive reappraisal. The coping strategies reported by the largest number of fathers were categorized as self-control and problem-solving. In the total sample, there were significant differences between mothers and fathers in coping strategies categorized as escape-avoidance, positive reappraisal, self-controlling, accepting responsibility, and seeking social support. There were fewer gender differences in perception of stressors and coping strategies in the couples group than in the overall sample.

Findings reflected the fluidity and multi-dimensional aspects of stress and coping. Additional research is essential in explaining and translating these concepts into individualized health care for families of developmentally disabled children.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 52-12, Section: B, page: 6316.

Thesis (D.S.N.)--UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM, 1991.

School code: 0005.