Psychological Well-Being of Mothers and Siblings in Families of Girls and Women with Rett Syndrome.
Few published studies have reported on the psychological well-being of family members of individuals with Rett syndrome (RTT). Eighty-seven mothers of girls and women with RTT completed a questionnaire survey about their daughters' behavioral phenotype, current health, and behavior problems, and their own and a sibling's well-being. Mothers reported increased anxiety but similar levels of depression when compared to a normative sample. Across all problem domains on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, child and adolescent siblings (n = 39) were reported by mothers to have fewer difficulties than a normative sample. The severity of their daughters' RTT behavioral phenotype predicted increased anxiety and stress for mothers. Increased RTT daughters' current health problems predicted more maternal perceptions of positive gain.
Welsh Centre for Learning Disabilities, Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, 2nd Floor Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK.
Rina
R
Cianfaglione
Richard P
RP
Hastings
David
D
Felce
Angus
A
Clarke
Michael P
MP
Kerr
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D015518:Rett Syndrome / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D035781:Siblings / Q000523:psychology*