Assessing psychological well-being in mothers of children with disability: evaluation of the Parenting Morale Index and Family Impact of Childhood Disability scale.
OBJECTIVE
Process model of stress and coping guided psychometric assessment of two brief measures of psychological well-being: Parenting Morale Index (PMI); Family Impact of Childhood Disability (FICD) scale.


METHODS
Canadian mothers (N=195) of children with disability (CWD) completed PMI, FICD, and validation measures (Brief Family Assessment Measure [FAM], Personal Well-Being Index, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, General Self-Efficacy Scale, Social Desirability Scale) via computer-assisted telephone interview. Of these, 154 completed additional validation measures (Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale, Parenting Stress Index, Family Hardiness Index, Brief FAM) 1 year later.


RESULTS
Factor structures of PMI and FICD were supported; both demonstrated internal consistency, temporal stability, and convergent and discriminant validity. After 1 year, PMI and FICD jointly predicted depressive symptoms, parenting stress, family hardiness, and family adjustment.


CONCLUSIONS
PMI and FICD can identify mothers of CWD at risk for poor psychological well-being to increase the specificity of supports.
Benzies
Karen M
KM
Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada. benzies@ucalgary.ca
Trute
Barry
B
Worthington
Catherine
C
Reddon
John
J
Keown
Leslie-Anne
LA
Moore
Melanie
M
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D002648:Child; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012928:Social Desirability; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*