Subjective perceptions of stress and coping by mothers of children with an intellectual disability : a needs assessment

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:My study aims to explore the feelings of and coping strategies used by a group ofmothers of young children with an intellectual disability. I used two validatedquestionnaires and, at a later date, a semi-structured interview with each researchparticipant. My analyses of the questionnaires' data provided me with tentative themesfor inclusion during the semi-structured interviews. The combination of quantitative andqualitative research methodologies resulted in the confirmation and expansion of some ofthe data, but contradictions between other data. I used lay theory as one explanation forthe contradictory findings. My study found that the mothers of young children with anintellectual disability experience a range of feelings and use a combination of differentcoping strategies, a pragmatic coping style being common to all the participants.I conclude by acknowledging the inherent capabilities of my research participants andencouraging service providers to empower parents of young children with an intellectualdisability.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University