Protective Factors for Subjective Well-being in Mothers of Children with Down Syndrome

Abstract

The study was conducted to understand the relationship of general self-efficacy and two aspects of social support with cognitive and affective facets of subjective well-being in mothers of children having Down syndrome in contrast to mothers of typical children. Survey was conducted with mothers of two types of children (n = 89 each). Data were collected through Generalized Self-Efficay Scale (Schwarzer & Jerusalem, 1995), Social Support Questionnaire-Short Form (SSQ-6; Sarason, Sarason, Shearin, & Pierce, 1987), and Trait Well-Being Inventory (Dalbert, 1992). It was found that with higher level of perceived available social support, the mothers of children having Down syndrome were more satisfied with their life. Further, with higher self-efficacy and higher satisfaction with the social support, mothers of both types of children were more satisfied with their life and had better mood in general. Perceived available social support benefitted mothers of children having Down syndrome only, while, satisfaction with social support and self-efficacy were protective factors for subjective well-being of mothers, in general.