title: [Sense of coherence and stress in parents of children with chronic disease and mental health disorders].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to examine parental sense of coherence (SOC) as a resource for coming to terms with their children's disease. Furthermore we examined the interaction between parental stress experience and SOC while controlling for neuroticism. 3 groups were compared: parents of children with (1) cystic fibrosis (CF, n = 35), (2) juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA, n = 31) and (3) mental health disorders (PSY, n = 34).
  
  
  METHODS
  Parents were asked to complete the "Heidelberger Sense of Coherence Questionnaire", the "Parenting Stress Index" and the Neuroticism Scale of the "Trierer Integriertes Persönlichkeitsinventar".
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences in SOC and neuroticism. Parents of children with mental health disorders showed significantly higher stress levels (M = 2.60; p = 0.001) than parents of children with CF (M = 2.13) and JIA (M = 1.99). In all groups, significant negative interactions between SOC and stress experience were found (r =  - 0.46 to  - 0.65). However, this effect decreased when controlling for neuroticism (r =  - 0.26 to  - 0.31).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to our results, the type of the child's disease is not relevant to the parents' SOC. A well developed SOC in parents is likely to be helpful in coping with the stress associated with a child's disease or disorder.
authors.affiliation: Universitätsklinik für Kinder- und Jugendheilkunde, AKH Wien, Österreich. daniela_schuh@gmx.at
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schuh
authors.forename: Kathrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hippler
authors.forename: Maria Theresia
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Schubert
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011788:Quality of Life; D060685:Sense of Coherence; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*