Exploring the Parenting Experience and Stress of Parents with Neurotypical Children and Special Needs Children
Abstract/Description/Artist Statement
Parents of special needs children are more likely to experience mental distress. The increased demand of caregiving responsibilities, stress and informal care coordination places these parents at a significant risk of anxiety, depression, caregiver strain which negatively affects the parent-child relationship, child development and family functioning. The purpose of this study is to explore the parental experience and compare stress level of parents with special needs children to parents with neurotypical children. The study’s objective is to identify factors associated with parenting stress to guide interventions and support services. RQ 1: Is there a relationship between situational, parental, and child factors to parenting stress? RQ 2: Is there a difference in stress levels between parents with special needs children and parents with neurotypical children? This study used a cross-sectional correlational design with convenience sampling. Recruitment flyers were posted in a school-based center and a pediatric therapy center. Participants included parents above 18 years old with a child between the ages of 1 and 12. Eligible participants completed an anonymous quantitative survey that examines parenting stress. Preliminary results show parents with special needs children reporting higher levels of stress and lower levels of general well-being compared to parents of neurotypical children. This study focuses on parents’ well-being related to the caregiver role especially parents with special needs children. These findings can be used to create caregiver support services, policy initiatives to reduce parenting stress and guide future research focused on caregiver mental health.
Keywords: Parents, special needs children, caregiver stress, general well-being
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Kathie Zimbro PhD, RN
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Email
kzimbro@odu.edu
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department
Ellmer School of Nursing
College/School Affiliation
Ellmer School of Nursing
Student Level Group
Graduate/Professional
Presentation Type
Poster
Exploring the Parenting Experience and Stress of Parents with Neurotypical Children and Special Needs Children
Parents of special needs children are more likely to experience mental distress. The increased demand of caregiving responsibilities, stress and informal care coordination places these parents at a significant risk of anxiety, depression, caregiver strain which negatively affects the parent-child relationship, child development and family functioning. The purpose of this study is to explore the parental experience and compare stress level of parents with special needs children to parents with neurotypical children. The study’s objective is to identify factors associated with parenting stress to guide interventions and support services. RQ 1: Is there a relationship between situational, parental, and child factors to parenting stress? RQ 2: Is there a difference in stress levels between parents with special needs children and parents with neurotypical children? This study used a cross-sectional correlational design with convenience sampling. Recruitment flyers were posted in a school-based center and a pediatric therapy center. Participants included parents above 18 years old with a child between the ages of 1 and 12. Eligible participants completed an anonymous quantitative survey that examines parenting stress. Preliminary results show parents with special needs children reporting higher levels of stress and lower levels of general well-being compared to parents of neurotypical children. This study focuses on parents’ well-being related to the caregiver role especially parents with special needs children. These findings can be used to create caregiver support services, policy initiatives to reduce parenting stress and guide future research focused on caregiver mental health.
Keywords: Parents, special needs children, caregiver stress, general well-being