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Rutter TL, Hastings RP, Murray CA, Enoch N, Johnson S, Stinton C. Psychological wellbeing in parents of children with Down syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Psychol Rev 2024; 110:102426. [PMID: 38652972 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2024.102426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
We report a review examining the psychological wellbeing of parents of children with Down syndrome (DS) relative to that of parents of typically developing (TD) children. A systematic search identified 57 relevant studies, which were synthesised meta-analytically. Relative to their counterparts with TD children, mothers and fathers of children with DS reported higher levels of parenting stress (mothers: g = 0.57, 95% CI [0.33, 0.81]; fathers: g = 0.40, [0.24, 0.56]), depressive symptoms (mothers: g = 0.42, [0.23, 0.61]; fathers: g = 0.25, [0.02, 0.48]) and psychological distress (mothers: g = 0.45, [0.30, 0.60]; fathers: g = 0.63, [0.26, 0.99]). Small effects were found for anxiety for mothers (g = 0.16, [0.03, 0.29]), with no differences for fathers (g = 0.03, [-0.25, 0.32]). No group differences were found for positive impact of parenting (mothers: g = -0.09, [-0.25, 0.07]; fathers: g = -0.04, [-0.30, 0.22]), while evidence concerning other positive wellbeing outcomes was limited. No significant moderating effects of child age range, country income level, or group differences in parental education level were identified, but limited subgroup analyses were possible. Raising a child with DS may be associated with elevated stress, depressive symptoms, and psychological distress for mothers and fathers. However, levels of parenting reward appear equivalent to those experienced by parents raising TD children.
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Affiliation(s)
- T L Rutter
- Centre for Research in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.
| | - R P Hastings
- Centre for Research in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - C A Murray
- Centre for Research in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - N Enoch
- Down Syndrome UK, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, UK
| | - S Johnson
- University of Warwick Library, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - C Stinton
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
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Bhopti A, Brown T, Lentin P. Does family quality of life get better as the years go by? A comparative mixed‐methods study between early years and school‐aged children with disability in Australia. JOURNAL OF POLICY AND PRACTICE IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/jppi.12433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anoo Bhopti
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Peninsula Campus Monash University Australia
- Discipline of Occupational Therapy, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, Melbourne Campus La Trobe University Australia
| | - Ted Brown
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Peninsula Campus Monash University Australia
| | - Primrose Lentin
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Peninsula Campus Monash University Australia
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Clark L, Canary HE, McDougle K, Perkins R, Tadesse R, Holton AE. Family Sense-Making After a Down Syndrome Diagnosis. QUALITATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH 2020; 30:1783-1797. [PMID: 32618226 PMCID: PMC7814853 DOI: 10.1177/1049732320935836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The script of parenting shifts when parents learn of their child's Down syndrome diagnosis. To build a theory of the diagnostic experience and early family sense-making process, we interviewed 33 parents and nine grandparents living in the United States who learned prenatally or neonatally of their child's diagnosis. The core category of rescuing hope for the future encompassed the social process of sense-making over time as parents managed their sorrow, shock, and grief and amassed meaningful messages that anchored them as they looked toward the future. Application of the theory to practice underscores the import of early professional support offered to parents at key points in the sense-making process: Early as they disclose the news of the diagnosis to family and friends, and later close friends and kin assimilate meaningful messages about what the diagnosis means as they recalibrate expectations for a hopeful future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Clark
- University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Kyle McDougle
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Ruth Tadesse
- The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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Villavicencio CE, López-Larrosa S. Ecuadorian mothers of preschool children with and without intellectual disabilities: Individual and family dimensions. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2020; 105:103735. [PMID: 32679390 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2020.103735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately 71,454 children younger than 5 years old have a disability in Ecuador. AIMS Our objective was to compare and relate family cohesion, adaptability, coping, perceived stress, and control with family satisfaction of Ecuadorian mothers of preschool children with and without intellectual disabilities (ID). METHOD Participants were 384 Ecuadorian mothers: 111 had a child with ID and 273had a child without ID. The FACES II, Family Satisfaction Scale and Moos Coping Response Inventory were used. RESULTS No significant differences were found between mothers of children with and without intellectual disabilities on their perceptions of family cohesion, adaptability or family satisfaction. Mothers of children with ID perceived less stress and more control over their children and adopted more approach coping strategies compared to mothers of children without ID. The mothers 'family satisfaction was positively related to approach coping strategies and to family cohesion and adaptability, and negatively related to avoidant coping strategies-regardless of whether their children had a disability or not. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS These data are in accordance with an adaptive approach to disability and emphasise the capacity of individuals and families to cope.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmita E Villavicencio
- Technical University of Machala, El Oro, Ecuador; Universidade da Coruña, Campus de Elviña, 15071, A Coruña, Spain.
| | - Silvia López-Larrosa
- Universidade da Coruña, Psychology Department, Campus de Elviña, 15071, A Coruña, Spain.
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Byra S, Ćwirynkało K. Do beliefs influence posttraumatic growth in fathers of children with intellectual disabilities? RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2020; 104:103687. [PMID: 32502845 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2020.103687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Revised: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although facing a child's intellectual disability (ID) is considered to threaten paternal psychosocial wellbeing, in recent years there has also been a burgeoning interest in positive contributions of raising children with ID, including posttraumatic growth (PTG) in parents. METHOD 142 fathers of children with ID completed Polish versions of three inventories: The Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), Basic Hope Inventory (BHI), and General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES). The average child's age was 11.06 (range: 7-13 years). The stages of the analysis included: descriptive statistics for posttraumatic growth (PTG), basic hope (BH), and self-efficacy (GSE), correlation analysis and the Preacher and Hayes procedure of bootstrapping to test whether GSE mediates the relationship between BH and PTG. RESULTS 85.91 % of fathers of children with ID experience average or high levels of PTG with the highest scores in its two dimensions: greater appreciation of life, and positive changes in relations with others. PTG is significantly negatively related to a child's age. GSE is a significant mediator of the relationship between BH and PTG (total score and all dimensions). CONCLUSION The importance of beliefs for experiencing positive changes as a result of raising a child with disability may be useful in therapeutic and supportive activities offered to fathers who experience difficulties in fulfilling their paternal role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanisława Byra
- Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin, Narutowicza 12, 20-004, Lublin, Poland.
| | - Katarzyna Ćwirynkało
- University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Żołnierska 14, 10-561, Olsztyn, Poland.
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Fielding-Gebhardt H, Warren SF, Brady NC. Child Challenging Behavior Influences Maternal Mental Health and Relationship Quality Over Time in Fragile X Syndrome. J Autism Dev Disord 2020; 50:779-797. [PMID: 31754947 PMCID: PMC7053402 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-019-04308-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Parenting children with neurodevelopmental disabilities is often challenging. Biological mothers of children with Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) may be susceptible to increased risk of mental health problems. This study examined the longitudinal relationships between maternal mental health, child challenging behaviors, and mother-child relationship quality in children and adolescents with FXS. Fifty-five mother-child dyads were followed from childhood into adolescence. The findings suggest that child challenging behaviors, maternal mental health, and mother-child relationship quality were stable during that period. Additionally, elevated levels of child challenging behaviors negatively impacted maternal mental health. Finally, child challenging behaviors, in combination with maternal mental health, influenced mother-child relationship quality. Clinical implications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Fielding-Gebhardt
- Child Language Doctoral Program, University of Kansas, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS, 66045, USA.
| | - Steven F Warren
- Department of Speech-Language-Hearing: Sciences and Disorders, University of Kansas, Lawrence, USA
| | - Nancy C Brady
- Department of Speech-Language-Hearing: Sciences and Disorders, University of Kansas, Lawrence, USA
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Vanderkerken L, Heyvaert M, Onghena P, Maes B. The Relation Between Family Quality of Life and the Family‐Centered Approach in Families With Children With an Intellectual Disability. JOURNAL OF POLICY AND PRACTICE IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/jppi.12317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lien Vanderkerken
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational SciencesParenting and Special Education Research Unit, KU Leuven Leuven Belgium
| | - Mieke Heyvaert
- Humanities and Social Sciences Research CoordinationKU Leuven Leuven Belgium
| | - Patrick Onghena
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational SciencesMethodology of Educational Sciences Research Unit, KU Leuven Leuven Belgium
| | - Bea Maes
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational SciencesParenting and Special Education Research Unit, KU Leuven Leuven Belgium
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Beighton C, Wills J. How parents describe the positive aspects of parenting their child who has intellectual disabilities: A systematic review and narrative synthesis. JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES 2019; 32:1255-1279. [PMID: 31111640 PMCID: PMC6852490 DOI: 10.1111/jar.12617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2018] [Revised: 04/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Background Identifying what parents describe to be positive about parenting their child who has intellectual disabilities is important for professional practice and how parents can be supported over a lifespan. Methods Studies in which parents describe the positive aspects of parenting their child with intellectual disabilities were identified via electronic databases searches and analysed in a narrative synthesis. Results Twenty‐two studies were included. Consistent themes emerged relating to positive change, increased personal strength, growth and development largely related to parental intrapersonal orientation. Several studies emphasized that the presence of growth or positive change does not imply the absence of distress. Conclusions Positive aspects are not consistently defined and measured differently across studies. Consistent themes are described variously attributed to theories relating to coping, adaptation or growth following adversity; however, no single theoretical framework emerged. Factors likely to predict a parent's ability to identify positive aspects are inconclusive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carole Beighton
- Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education, Kingston and St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Jane Wills
- School of Health and Social Care, London Southbank University, London, UK
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Jess M, Totsika V, Hastings RP. Maternal Stress and the Functions of Positivity in Mothers of Children with Intellectual Disability. JOURNAL OF CHILD AND FAMILY STUDIES 2018; 27:3753-3763. [PMID: 30369780 PMCID: PMC6182712 DOI: 10.1007/s10826-018-1186-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Although mothers raising children with Intellectual Disability (ID) report poorer mental health than parents raising typically developing children, they also report feelings of positivity; both generally and specific to their child. To date little is known about the function of maternal positivity thus, we explored the putative compensatory and protective functions of maternal positivity, within both a cross-sectional and one-year longitudinal framework that examined the relationship between children's behaviour and mental health problems with maternal mental health problems. Participants included 135 mothers of children with severe ID who were between 3 and 18 years of age. Multiple linear regression models investigated the potential function of maternal positivity. At a cross-sectional level, maternal positivity was found to be a significant independent predictor of maternal stress and moderated the impact of child behaviour problems on maternal parenting stress. Longitudinally, maternal positivity did not have a direct effect on later parenting stress nor function as a moderator. Findings from our cross-sectional analysis are consistent with the view that positivity serves a compensatory function. Further exploration is needed to understand the longitudinal function of maternal positivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikeda Jess
- Centre for Educational Development, Appraisal and Research (CEDAR), University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL UK
| | - Vasiliki Totsika
- Centre for Educational Development, Appraisal and Research (CEDAR), University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL UK
| | - Richard P Hastings
- Centre for Educational Development, Appraisal and Research (CEDAR), University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL UK
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