Chronically ill mothers experiencing pain: relational coping strategies used while parenting young children.
OBJECTIVE
There has been little research on women who are parenting while they experience pain and none of this research has focused on mothers with young children. The purpose of this study was to consider relational coping strategies generated by mothers that they used when parenting young children and experiencing pain.


METHODS
Two-hundred sixty-two mothers participated in this survey research; 171 who have either multiple sclerosis (MS) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and a comparison group of 91well mothers. Mothers completed questionnaires inquiring about (a) their coping strategies, (b) levels of pain, fatigue and physical functioning, and (c) if they were currently experiencing an exacerbation of their chronic illness.


RESULTS
Well mothers reported using more self-care when parenting while experiencing pain. Mothers with RA were more likely to set boundaries around their behaviour. Women with MS who were experiencing an exacerbation changed their coping strategies to include more child activities and encourage more mature child behaviour when compared to women with RA who were experiencing an exacerbation.


CONCLUSIONS
From the perspective of relational coping theory, mothers consider their own pain while simultaneously attending to their responsibilities as a parent. Previous research has suggested that women may withdraw or reduce their parenting activities when they are in pain and this study supported the previous research, especially for women with RA.
White
Carmel Parker
CP
Department of Child Development and Family Relations, College of Human Ecology, East Carolina University, 127 Rivers Building, Greenville, NC 27858-4353, USA. whitec@ecu.edu
Mendoza
Jaymi
J
White
Mark B
MB
Bond
Christy
C
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D059408:Pain Management; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D012648:Self Care; D055815:Young Adult