BACKGROUND: Many previous studies have reported that mothers of children with intellectual disabilities (IDs) are more likely to show signs of psychological distress and have lower well-being than mothers of 'typically developing' children. Our aim was to estimate the extent to which these differences may be accounted for by between-group differences in socio-economic position. METHODS: This study involved secondary analysis of happiness, self-esteem and self-efficacy variables in a nationally representative sample of 6954 British mothers with dependent children under the age of 17 years, 514 of whom were supporting a child with an ID. RESULTS: Mothers of children with IDs reported lower levels of happiness, self-esteem and self-efficacy than mothers of children without IDs. Statistically controlling for differences in socio-economic position, household composition and maternal characteristics fully accounted for the between-group differences in maternal happiness, and accounted for over 50% of the elevated risk for poorer self-esteem and self-efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: A socially and statistically significant proportion of the increased risk of poorer well-being among mothers of children with IDs may be attributed to their increased risk of socio-economic disadvantage.
BACKGROUND: Many previous studies have reported that mothers of children with intellectual disabilities (IDs) are more likely to show signs of psychological distress and have lower well-being than mothers of 'typically developing' children. Our aim was to estimate the extent to which these differences may be accounted for by between-group differences in socio-economic position. METHODS: This study involved secondary analysis of happiness, self-esteem and self-efficacy variables in a nationally representative sample of 6954 British mothers with dependent children under the age of 17 years, 514 of whom were supporting a child with an ID. RESULTS: Mothers of children with IDs reported lower levels of happiness, self-esteem and self-efficacy than mothers of children without IDs. Statistically controlling for differences in socio-economic position, household composition and maternal characteristics fully accounted for the between-group differences in maternal happiness, and accounted for over 50% of the elevated risk for poorer self-esteem and self-efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: A socially and statistically significant proportion of the increased risk of poorer well-being among mothers of children with IDs may be attributed to their increased risk of socio-economic disadvantage.
Authors: Gemma Maria Griffith; Richard P Hastings; Susie Nash; Michael Petalas; Chris Oliver; Patricia Howlin; Joanna Moss; Jane Petty; Penelope Tunnicliffe Journal: J Genet Couns Date: 2011-01-04 Impact factor: 2.537
Authors: Jieun Song; Marsha R Mailick; Jan S Greenberg; Carol D Ryff; Margie E Lachman Journal: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci Date: 2015-03-24 Impact factor: 4.077
Authors: Jenny Bourke; Bernadette Ricciardo; Ami Bebbington; Karina Aiberti; Peter Jacoby; Paula Dyke; Michael Msall; Carol Bower; Helen Leonard Journal: J Pediatr Date: 2008-04-23 Impact factor: 4.406