Work

Stressed parents, happy parents. An assessment of parenting stress and family quality of life in families with a child with Phelan‐McDermid syndrome

Year: 2021

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Individuals with Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS) are characterised by phenotypical traits that can be experienced as challenging by their environment. This study assessed parenting stress and Family Quality of Life (FQOL) in parents of individuals with PMS and identified potential contributing variables. METHOD: Mothers (n = 14) and fathers (n = 13) of individuals with PMS (n = 14; 6 females, 8 males; age 2-37, M = 20, SD = 11.92) completed questionnaires on parenting stress, FQOL, adaptive behaviour and background characteristics. RESULTS: Mothers and fathers experienced high, similar and related levels of parenting stress and FQOL satisfaction. Parenting stress and FQOL satisfaction were inversely related. High and low ratings were retrieved for subscales measuring feelings of parental role restriction and emotional well-being, respectively. The adaptive skills of the individuals with PMS were related to fathers' parenting stress and FQOL satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical practice is encouraged to be attentive to family dynamics and grasp opportunities to interact with these dynamics.

Source: Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities

DOI: 10.1111/jar.12858

Authors: Gilles Droogmans, Elfi Vergaelen, Griet Van Buggenhout, Ann Swillen

Institutions: KU Leuven, Universitair Ziekenhuis Leuven

Language: English

Topic: Family and Disability Support Research

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: Universitaire Ziekenhuizen Leuven, KU Leuven