The Impact of Parent Groups on Mothers of Infants with Disabilities

This paper examines the correlates and consequences of participation in professionally-organized parent groups for 150 mothers receiving early intervention services for their infants and toddlers with disabilities. Results revealed that participants in parent groups had higher educational levels than nonparticipants and reported larger increases in the size and helpfulness of their social support networks. Intensity of participation in parent groups, however, was associated with both positive and negative outcomes for maternal functioning and social support Implications of these findings for the use of parent groups in early intervention programs are discussed.