Parents of adolescents with severe intellectual disability in Israel: Resources, stress and the decision to apply for out-of-home placement

Abstract

Israeli parents of adolescents with severe intellectual disability (n=86) were studied in respect to their locus of control and perceived social support as moderators of stress, and the likelihood of applying for out-of-home placement. Findings indicated that applying parents, of whom the higher percentage was single-parent families, tended to have external locus of control, less social support, and high levels of stress. Furthermore, parental internal locus of control and positive appraisal of social support were the only resources that moderated child-related stress and increased the likelihood of keeping the adolescent child at home. Findings are interpreted in relation to policy and practice.