Predictors of care-giver stress in families of preschool-aged children with developmental disabilities.
BACKGROUND
This study examined the predictors, mediators and moderators of parent stress in families of preschool-aged children with developmental disability.


METHODS
One hundred and five mothers of preschool-aged children with developmental disability completed assessment measures addressing the key variables.


RESULTS
Analyses demonstrated that the difficulty parents experienced in completing specific care- giving tasks, behaviour problems during these care-giving tasks, and level of child disability, respectively, were significant predictors of level of parent stress. In addition, parents' cognitive appraisal of care-giving responsibilities had a mediating effect on the relationship between the child's level of disability and parent stress. Mothers' level of social support had a moderating effect on the relationship between key independent variables and level of parent stress.


CONCLUSIONS
Difficulty of care-giving tasks, difficult child behaviour during care-giving tasks, and level of child disability are the primary factors which contribute to parent stress. Implications of these findings for future research and clinical practice are outlined.
Plant
K M
KM
Parenting and Family Support Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.
Sanders
M R
MR
D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003710:Demography; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*