title: Reconceptualizing Family Adaptation to Developmental Delay.
abstract: This study explores accurate conceptualization of the adaptation construct in families of children with developmental delay aged 3 to 8 years. Parents' self-reported measures of adaptation and observed dyadic relationship variables were examined. Confirmatory factor analysis and longitudinal growth modeling were used to evaluate the nature of adaptational processes. Results indicate that adaptational processes vary across adaptation index, child developmental level, and parent gender. Adaptation indices did not load onto a single construct at any time point. Several adaptational processes remained stable across time, although others showed linear or quadratic change. The findings of the current study indicate that it is time for a change in how adaptation is conceived for families of children with developmental delay.
authors.forename: Anita L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: Keith A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Crnic
authors.forename: Bruce L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Blacher
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support
keywords: adaptation; child; confirmatory factor analysis; developmental delay; developmental disability; family; longitudinal; multigroup longitudinal growth curve analysis