Parents’ personality and parenting stress in families of children with spina bifida

Abstract

Mobility, bladder and bowel dysfunctions in school-aged children with SB represent ongoing stressors for parents. Parents' intrapersonal resources of positive affectivity, however, are more important determinants of parental adjustment to SB than the child's physical dysfunctions.

Predictors of parenting stress in mothers of children with spina bifida

“…As the mother is the primary caregiver in many instances, she is continually exposed to these demands on her time and emotional well-being. 4 In our study, 56.8% of spina bifida children required CIC and the majority had this performed by the mother. Even though 45.7% were still wet, the results suggest that the need for CIC itself rather than the incontinence contributed to maternal perception that the child is 'difficult' and that her parental role is stressful.…”

“…Marital status has been consistently linked to personal well-being, even in adults without handicapped children, 19 while the presence of a significant adult companion improved maternal self-reports of wellbeing, satisfaction and competence in mothers of children with spina bifida. 20 Vermais et al 4 too showed that the presence of a partner correlated with fewer psychological symptoms in parents of children with spina bifida. Thus, it is possible that the loneliness, lack of physical and emotional support, and lack of respite from the care-giving needs of the spina bifida child that accompanies the absence of adult companionship in a marriage have given rise to the increased stress scores in our single-parent families.…”

“…3 Sources of stress among these parents include sudden impact life events (for example, at the time of diagnosis and surgery) as well as the repetitive, daily problems (for example, ambulation and incontinence problems) that contribute to chronic impact. 4 These parents need to cope with large amounts of technical medical information, adjust to the new demands on their own daily routines and make important decisions about the medical, social and schooling needs of their children. 5 Existing literature on parenting stress is largely based on Western (mainly Caucasian) middle-class participants.…”

“…5 Existing literature on parenting stress is largely based on Western (mainly Caucasian) middle-class participants. [4][5][6][7][8] A meta-analysis has shown that spina bifida has a negative medium-large effect on parental psychological adjustment, with the most important effect on parent-child relationship. 3 Mothers have been shown to be more at risk than fathers, probably because they often are the main caregivers and consequently are more exposed to illness-related situations.…”

“…3 Mothers have been shown to be more at risk than fathers, probably because they often are the main caregivers and consequently are more exposed to illness-related situations. 4,9 Few studies have been done among Asian families having children with chronic disorders wherein the social and cultural outlook, as well as medical services, differs. Higher levels of parenting stress were noted among Malaysian mothers of children with cerebral palsy and mental retardation compared with controls, and this was mediated by ethnicity, socio-economic status, care-giving burden and child behaviour.…”