title: Coping and positive perceptions in Irish mothers of children with intellectual disabilities.
abstract: Thirty-six mothers of children aged between 5 and 8 years with intellectual disabilities completed five self-report questionnaires measuring variables related to behavioural and emotional difficulties, levels of care demand, family supports, coping and positive perceptions. The relationships among these variables were investigated using a working model proposed by Hastings and Taunt (2002). Child behavioural and emotional problems in the non-clinical range predicted low levels of care demand. Formal social support was an effective form of support for mothers; helpfulness of formal social support predicted mobilizing the family to acquire and accept help in the community; and mobilizing the family predicted levels of strength and family closeness. The majority of respondents rated agreement with statements that their child was: a source of happiness or fulfilment; a source of strength and family closeness; and a source of personal growth and maturity. The theoretical and clinical implications of these results are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Felicity A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Greer
authors.forename: Ian M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Grey
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: McClean
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006240:Happiness; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology*; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires