Self-perceived stress and the personality of mothers of children with central auditory processing disorders – Differences from mothers of typically developing children

Abstract

PurposeTo investigate the relationship between self-perceived global stress and the personality traits of mothers of children with central auditory processing disorders (APD), and make a comparison with mothers of typically developing (TD) children. Design and methodsA cross-sectional study using two questionnaires – the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and the Short Big Five Markers (IPIP-BFM-20) – to assess five personality dimensions: extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability, and intellect/imagination. The study material included 187 mothers, of whom 108 were mothers of children with APD. The average age of the children with APD was 10 years. ResultsThe average level of global stress was similar in mothers of children with APD and mothers of TD children. Mothers of APD children had significantly lower scores for personality dimensions such as: emotional stability, conscientiousness, and intellect/imagination. Increased perceived stress level in mothers of children with APD was inversely correlated with extraversion, conscientiousness, and emotional stability. However, for both groups of mothers, the only significant predictor of global stress level was emotional stability. ConclusionMothers of children with APD, despite having similar global stress levels to other mothers, were different in terms of three personality dimensions, and these, especially lowered emotional stability, may play a negative role in coping with global self-perceived stress. Practice implicationsThe results of this study might be helpful in parental support interventions, including psychological therapy and counselling, and also in parental implementation interventions aimed at mothers of children with APD, especially those mothers who have high global stress and/or low emotional stability.