COPING BEHAVIORS OF PARENTS OF SCHOOL AGE/LATENCY AGE CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

Abstract

Purpose/Hypothesis: This study identified the coping behaviors parents use to adjust to raising a latent/school age child with a disability. The differences in coping behaviors between mothers and fathers were investigated as well as differences between single and married parents of children with disabilities. Number of Subjects: Approximately 250 survey packets were distributed to program directors, physical therapists, occupational therapists and parents. Twenty-five of these surveys were returned. Participation was also solicited by placing a link to an electronic version of the survey on support group websites. Five electronic surveys were received bringing the total sample size to 30 (n = 30). Materials/Methods: Two instruments were used in this study. The Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation Scales (FCOPES) identifies coping strategies utilized by families in difficult or problematic situations. The Coping Health Inventory for Parent (CHIP) measures the parents' appraisal of the coping behaviors they use to manage raising a child with a serious of chronic illness. In addition to the survey instruments, a demographics page was included to identify pertinent information regarding the parent and child. Results: When analyzing the data from the FCOPES, spiritual support was found to be utilized most often followed by passive appraisal, reframing, mobilizing family to acquire and accept help, and acquiring social support. Social support was found to be used significantly less than other coping behaviors (P < 0.05). The CHIP revealed maintaining family integration, cooperation, and an optimistic definition of the situation was the most helpful coping behavior, followed by understanding the medical situation through communication with other parents and consultation with medical staff. Maintaining social support, self-esteem and psychological stability was found to be significantly less helpful than the other subscales (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between coping behaviors of mothers and fathers, nor married and single parents. Conclusions: This study revealed social support was used less frequently and reported less helpful than the other coping behaviors. This finding contradicts much of the current literature which reports that social support is one of the most commonly cited coping strategies for parents of physically and/or intellectually disabled children. This study has shown that parents are not utilizing social support services. It is unknown however, if this is because the parents view social support as not helpful, they do not have enough time to engage, or they are not aware the available services. Clinical Relevance: Physical therapists have more frequent and prolonged contact with both the family and the child than most healthcare professionals. It is pertinent for physical therapists to understand the stress these families are facing in order to help them develop effective coping behaviors and to be able to provide information regarding available resources.