Periodic stresses of families of older mentally retarded children: an exploratory study.

The relationship of transitions and stress in 60 families of older mentally retarded children were examined. Families whose offspring were entering adolescence (11 to 15 years old) and young adulthood (20 to 21 years old) were identified as being in transition. They were contrasted with families whose offspring were not those ages. Families were assessed once and then again 2 years later. Results at both points in time suggest support for a relationship between transitions in developmental stage of the retarded person and increased levels of family stress.