AN INVESTIGATION INTO PERCEIVED STRESS LEVELS WITHIN THE CONFINES OF FAMILIES WITH A DISABLED CHILD

An Investigation Into Perceived Stress Levels within the confines of families with a disabled child

Alan McAlpine

Abstract

Aims:

This study aimed to determine the general levels of stress in parents with a physically disabled child. In particular it endeavoured to identify the factors causing the stress and those biographical groups most likely to suffer the highest levels of stress.

Method:

One hundred and seventy four questionnaires were distributed to families with a physically disabled child. The geographical area covered was that of south-west Wales. Permission was granted by the Health Authorities Research Ethics Committees for the research to take place. A total of ninety-eight completed questionnaires were returned. Six questionnaires from the total number were disregarded. This resulted in a total of forty-one (44.6%) and fifty-one (55.4 %) families respectively in both regions taking part in this study. The quantitative data collected was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).

Results:

The results indicated that parents caring for a female child experienced more stress and those with a child in the 0-7 year old age group found it more difficult to cope than parents with an older child. The analysis also showed that those families living in West Glamorgan had higher stress levels than those in Dyfed. From a possible twenty-two stressors “Concern about your child’s future as you grow older”, was identified as the most prominent source of stress by all biographical groups.

Parents stated they had difficulty in accessing information outlining resources available to them and that the level of bureaucracy encountered when attempting to secure services caused high levels of stress.

Conclusion:

It was concluded firstly, that the parents need to be helped to develop coping skills. Secondly, it is imperative that the level and amount of support afforded by the professionals be assessed in accordance with each family’s individual needs and accordingly, `blanket` decisions should not be made.

Notes: