Parenting a Child with a Disability: A Longitudinal Study of Parental Stress and Adaptation

Mothers' experiences in parenting children with disabilities were examined in this 3-year longitudinal study. Thirty-five mother-child pairs participated in the study. Mothers and their children representing one of three disability groups (Down syndrome, hearing impairment, and neurological impairment) were observed wher the children were toddler age, age 3, and age 4 years. Parental stress and adaptation to parenting were documented using the Parenting Stress Index, the Inventory of Parent Experiences, and a clinical intewiew with mothers. Results showed significant relationships between maternal stress and parenting experiences. However, few differences across groups were noted with regard to reported stress or parenting experiences and adaptation. Findings are discussed in terms of their relationships to other study variables (e.g., child's developmental status, attachment, mother—child interaction) and with regard to implications for early intervention service providers.