Depression among parents of children with disabilities.

We examined the rate of depression among 110 parents of children with disabilities and tested a model to determine the unique factors associated with parental depression. Consenting parents completed measures of depression, family satisfaction, physical health, problem-solving abilities, stress appraisals, and child functional impairment. Participants were categorized as depressed or nondepressed based on their responses to the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ9; Kroenke, Spitzer, & Williams, 2001). Nineteen percent of the parents met screening criteria for depression. Regression analyses revealed that threat appraisals, poorer physical health, and lower family satisfaction were uniquely associated with depression status with 83.3% accuracy. These findings highlight the importance of family satisfaction, problem solving ability, physical health, and the influence of appraisal processes on depression among parents of children with disabilities.

Evaluating a dynamic process model of wellbeing for parents of children with disabilities: a multi-method analysis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate possible determinants of parent wellbeing using a contextual model of parent adjustment. METHOD: One hundred forty parents of children with various disabilities (i.e., autism, intellectual disabilities, and other health impairments) participated in this investigation. Parents completed a survey consisting of basic demographic characteristics of the parent, child-disability characteristics, parent problem solving ability, access to information and resources, environmental/social supports, appraisals of threat and growth, and measures of life satisfaction and physical/mental health. Structural equation modeling was conducted to test a hypothesized contextual model of parent wellbeing. RESULTS: Results indicated strong fit to the a priori model. After controlling for the contribution of parent demographic variables, the largest contributors to the prediction of parent wellbeing were parent problem solving ability, access to resources, environmental/social supports, and parent appraisals of threat. Child functional impairment was not significantly associated with parent wellbeing. CONCLUSIONS: Access to resources and environmental/social supports have a greater direct effect on parent wellbeing than parent and child demographic variables and disability severity. Threat appraisals have direct and mediating effects on parent wellbeing. Implications related to the importance of resources and environmental/social supports, appraisals of threat and growth, and problem solving abilities on the wellbeing of parents of children with disabilities are discussed.

National prevalence rates of bully victimization among students with disabilities in the United States.

This study examined the prevalence rates of bully victimization and risk for repeated victimization among students with disabilities using the Special Education Elementary Longitudinal Study and the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 longitudinal datasets. Results revealed that a prevalence rate ranging from 24.5% in elementary school to 34.1% in middle school. This is one to one and a half times the national average for students without disabilities. The rate of bully victimization was highest for students with emotional disturbance across school levels. Findings from this study also indicated that students with disabilities who were bullied once were at high risk of being bullied repeatedly. Elementary and middle school students with autism and high school students with orthopedic impairments were at the greatest risk of experiencing repeated victimization. Implications of the findings are discussed.

Giving parents a voice: A qualitative study of the challenges experienced by parents of children with disabilities.

BACKGROUND: This study sought to examine the specific sources of challenges as identified by parents of children with disabilities. METHOD: Focus groups were conducted with 40 parent caregivers. Data gathered were coded into themes which were then analyzed through an intentional process of data reduction that resulted in the cross site validation of four superordinate themes. RESULTS: Four themes emerged as the most prominent barriers to positive parent wellbeing: (a) access to information and services, (b) financial barriers, (c) school and community inclusion, and (d) family support. These four themes are indicative of problems associated with a lack of match between caregiver needs and services, resources, or support available in the community to meet those needs. CONCLUSION: Caring for a child with a disability can be challenging, but many of these challenges are likely due to a lack of necessary environmental supports. Future research should expand on these findings and policy makers, scientists and providers should give particular attention to the environmental support needs of parents in order to create policies and interventions that are more family-centered.