title: Harrdiness and social support as predictors of stress in mothers of typical children, children with autism, and children with mental retardation.
abstract: This study assessed the effects of social support and hardiness on the level of stress in mothers of typical children and children with developmental disabilities. One hundred and twenty mothers participated (40 mothers of children with autism, 40 mothers of children with mental retardation, and 40 mothers of typically developing children). Results indicated significant group differences in ratings of depression, anxiety, somatic complaints and burnout. Regression analyses were conducted to determine the best predictors of the dependent measures. Both hardiness and social support were predictive of successful adaptation. The relationships among hardiness, support and coping are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center, New Brunswick 08901-8512, USA. mjweiss@home.com
authors.forename: Mary Jane
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Weiss
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology*; D007389:Internal-External Control; D005222:Mental Fatigue / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D012938:Social Perception; D012944:Social Support; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*