Abstract
Purpose Mothers caring for children with disabilities often experience parental stress, which may lead them to suffer from depression. It is necessary to find a way to relieve their stress and depression. Therefore, we examined the effect of parental stress on depression and the buffering role of social support between them in a sample of 164 mothers of children with disabilities. Participants. One hundred and sixty-four participants (aged 25–58 years) in Gwangju and Jeollanamdo, South Korea, completed a set of self-reported measures. Methods Parental stress, depression, and social support are assessed by Parental Stress Index, Multidimensional Scale Perceived Social Support, and Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, respectively. Results Parental stress significantly predicted depression, and social support showed the buffering effect on the relationship between parental stress and depression among mothers of children with disabilities. These findings indicate that mothers who perceive a high level of social support are less likely to experience depression. Conclusions This study shows the moderating effect of social support on the relationship between parental stress and depression among mothers of children with disabilities. The level of depression they experience is not that great if they perceive a high level of social support even if they experience a high level of parental stress. These findings imply that social support is a critical resource that prevents the negative effect of parental stress on depression among mothers of children with disabilities.
Highlights
Mothers of children with disabilities who agreed to participate were provided a package consisting of a written informed consent form, a demographic questionnaire, Parental Stress IndexShort Form (PSI-SF), Social Support (MSPSS), and Depression Scale (CES-D)
The purpose of the present study is to examine the effect of parental stress on depression and the buffering effect of social support between parental stress and depression among mothers of children with disabilities
We examined the effect of parental stress on depression and the moderating effect of social support between them in a sample of 164 mothers of children with disabilities in Gwangju and Jeollanamdo, South Korea
Summary
Raising children brings parents joy and satisfaction. parents generally face a plethora of challenges after the birth of a child. Parents may experience parental stress while raising children, especially if children have disabilities [2]. Parents of children with oppositional behavior problems are required to care for their children more consistently than parents of children without disorders [3]. Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) reportedly experience more parental stress than parents of children without ASD or other developmental disabilities [4]. As seen in the results of previous studies, raising children with disabilities can impose burdens on the parents and families [5]. The challenges they experience include anxiety about the future, lack of knowledge about parenting, problems with their children’s jobs, social discrimination and stigma, and financial difficulties [6–8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
