Families with an Adult with Mental Retardation: Predictors of Family Adjustment

Abstract

Families are a powerful influence in the lives of an adult son or daughter with mental retardation. The increasing life expectancy of individuals with mental retardation suggests that it is likely that families will provide care for their children for many decades. The factors which impact families with an adult son or daughter with mental retardation can be analyzed within the theoretical context of the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment, and Adaptation. The responses of 71 parents of adult children with mental retardation were measured on the dimensions of maladaptive behavior of the adult with mental retardation, family sense of coherence, family social support, family adaptability, family cohesion, and family adaptation. Results of stepwise regression analysis indicate that family sense of coherence and family cohesion made a significant contribution to family adaptation. Family adaptability, social support, and maladaptive behavior did not make a meaningful contribution to family adaptation. Practice implications for rehabilitation counselors are discussed.