Mothers of Disabled Children: a Study of Parental Stress

Authors

  • Marilyn Mardiros

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Parents of a child with a disability have an expanded and exaggerated role. Both mother and father are expected to fulfill societal requirements in being parents, as well as being expected to meet the specific needs arising due to the disability. This child demands more time and attention. Acceptance of the child is difficult, being hindered by accompanying feelings of guilt, anger, depression, self-blame and/or blaming the spouse (Copel, 1973). Society expects the parents to cope with having a disabled child, holds the parents responsible for socializing a disabled child to be like other children and yet expects the child to know his place among the "not normal", the stigmatized (Goffman, 1963). The mother is the primary socializing agent of the child. She must help the child learn to conform in his social behavior and to learn the skills of daily living even when the child is handicapped. Yet she is not provided with supports when her child is not capable of achieving the same as the non-handicapped child. This study was designed to gain understanding into the mother's perception of her experience vis-a-vis her child, given that her perception determines her emotional state, her attitude toward her child, herself, and her family, and dictates her current intervention with this child.

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Published

1982-04-13

Issue

Section

Articles