ABSTRACT
In this longitudinal study, we examined stress and coping processes among 133 married mothers (age 59 to 83) and fathers (age 56 to 84) of adults with mental retardation (age 19 to 53). There were no differences between mothers and fathers with respect to their frequency of use of emotion-focused coping, but mothers used significantly more problem-focused coping strategies than did their husbands. For mothers, greater use of problem-focused coping strategies and lower use of emotion-focused coping buffered the impacts of caregiving stress on their psychological well-being. However, for fathers, no buffering effects of coping were detected. The implications of gender differences in coping effects were examined in the context of the impact of lifelong caregiving.
Subject(s)
Aging/psychology , Caregivers/psychology , Father-Child Relations , Intellectual Disability/psychology , Mother-Child Relations , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Defense Mechanisms , Female , Gender Identity , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Middle Aged , Problem SolvingABSTRACT
Predictors of residential planning and placement among 461 families of adults with mental retardation living at home were examined prospectively over a 4.5-year period. Factors predicting whether an adult's name would be put on a waiting list for residential placement were a diagnosis of Down syndrome, higher unmet service needs, smaller parental support networks, and better maternal health. Predictors of residential placement were being on a waiting list, poorer maternal health, and older age of the adult child. Result from qualitative analyses of parental reasons for use of the waiting list or of placement were also presented. Findings were interpreted using stress and coping, family life cycle, and postponed launching models.
Subject(s)
Attitude to Health , Decision Making , Home Nursing/psychology , Institutionalization , Intellectual Disability/psychology , Mothers/psychology , Waiting Lists , Adult , Age Factors , Caregivers/psychology , Caregivers/statistics & numerical data , Chi-Square Distribution , Family , Family Health , Female , Health Status , Humans , Logistic Models , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Middle Aged , Multivariate Analysis , Residential Facilities , Severity of Illness Index , Social Behavior Disorders/psychologyABSTRACT
Without major adaptations, current substance abuse treatment models may not be productive for people with learning differences. The study described in this article examined ways to create accessibility to generic chemical dependency treatment for people with learning differences. A key informant survey of chemical dependency workers and developmental disabilities workers was conducted to determine the needs of chemical dependency treatment programs, staff, and people with learning differences in making treatment accessible. Training and information needs were identified, and responses were compared between the two groups of providers. Chemical dependency treatment staff need more information and training on differing learning and socialization skills, differences in reading comprehension, and personal prejudices or stereotypes. In-depth screening is also required to determine the appropriateness of integrated or specialized services or some combination of both.
