Parents of Disabled Children under More Stress, Survey Finds

Sharon Moore March 21, 2013

Parents of children who have disabilities are twice more likely to be stressed than parents of typically developing children, according to a survey.

The University of Queensland, together with the University of Sydney and Monash University interviewed around 30,000 parents of children with disabilities in Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales. They found that 70 per cent of these parents reported feeling stressed and worried compared to just 32 per cent of parents who have typically growing children.

The survey also revealed that only 58 per cent of parents of children with disability were satisfied of their lives, as compared to the 83 per cent of parents with typically growing children. Meanwhile, 32 per cent of parents of children with disability felt emotionally distressed as opposed to only 9 per cent of other parents.

Parenting Support to Reduce Emotional Distress

According to Professor Matt Sanders, the lead researcher from the University of Queensland, children with disabilities have 3 to 4 times more emotional and behavioural problems than typically growing children. Therefore, it can be very difficult too for the people who love them and care for them. He said that the survey simply confirms what health professionals already know. “Many parents of children with disabilities are struggling to cope,” he added.

The project, called My Say survey, is part of the called Stepping Stones Triple project (SSTP), designed to improve the health and well-being of children with disabilities. Over the next 3 years, parents of children with disabilities in Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales will be provided with free parenting support. According to the researchers, the project is going to improve the parents’ confidence, resilience and competence. Health therapists, nurses, teachers and community workers can also apply for the free training provided through the SSTP. Queensland is the first to benefit from the project. On May this year, the free training for health professionals will be conducted and on June, ongoing support for parents will be provided.

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Source of this article:

Parents of children with a disability under twice as much stress