title: Parental and family well-being in families of children with Down syndrome: a comparative study.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a child with Down syndrome on the individual functioning of both parents, marital functioning, and family functioning. Thirty-four families of children with Down syndrome were compared to 41 families with nondisabled children. Mothers and fathers in both groups completed a series of self-report measures. No significant differences were obtained between the two groups of families on any of the measures of individual, marital, or family functioning. The results of this study support a competence model in which parents may respond to the challenges associated with parenting a child with Down syndrome with resilience and adaptive functioning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van Riper
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ryff
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pridham
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology*; D015146:Midwestern United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D012380:Role