Well-being of mid- and later-life mothers of children with developmental disabilities
Weeks, Lori E.Bryanton, O.Kozma, A.Nilsson, Thomy H.
Journal of Women & Aging
Journal Article
2008
20
1-2
115
130
10.1300/j074v20n01_09
Applied Human SciencesPsychology
This study examined the well-being of midand later-life mothers of developmentally disabled (DD) children. Mothers of DD children (n = 33) and mothers in a comparison group (n = 27) responded to a series of quantitative measures of well-being and open-ended questions. In general, quantitative results indicated lower levels of well-being for mothers of DD children. However, we examined these results within the contexts of educational and financial realities and access to adequate social support. Show moreThis study examined the well-being of midand later-life mothers of developmentally disabled (DD) children. Mothers of DD children (n = 33) and mothers in a comparison group (n = 27) responded to a series of quantitative measures of well-being and open-ended questions. In general, quantitative results indicated lower levels of well-being for mothers of DD children. However, we examined these results within the contexts of educational and financial realities and access to adequate social support. Analysis of the qualitative data resulted in the themes of enhancements to well-being, challenges to well-being and normative experiences of being a parent. Results point to the need to further understand reciprocity in the mother-child relationships and the influence of severity of the developmental disability on mother's well-being. Show less
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