The objective of the present study was to examine the role of perceived stress, ego-resiliency, and relational resources in maintaining psychological well-being in parents of children with Down syndrome, in particular in groups of mothers and fathers. Being a parent of a child with a disability is stressful, and it can be a burden. Despite these negative aspects of child-rearing, mothers and fathers are supported by their own resources and help from other people. participants and procedureThe study included 126 parents of children with Down syndrome (75 mothers and 51 fathers). All parents were married at the time of the study (i.e. the study did not involve single parents). The subjects completed questionnaires of psychological well-being, perceived stress, ego-resiliency, quality of marital relationship, and perceived social support. resultsPerceived stress proved to be a negative predictor (β = -.35) of psychological well-being both in the group of all parents and in groups of mothers and fathers. Ego-resiliency, perceived social support, and quality of marital relationship were positive predictors in the group of all parents, whereas ego-resiliency was a positive predictor (β = .29) of psychological well-being of fathers; perceived social support constituted a positive predictor (β = .25) in the group of mothers. conclusionsThe results of the present study show the factors that have a significant effect on parental well-being and may, thus, be unfavourable (e.g. perceived stress) or favourable (e.g. perceived social support for mothers, ego-resiliency for fathers) for adaptation of parents of children with Down syndrome and their mental health. Particularly interesting are the differences in groups of mothers and fathers with regard to factors positively affecting their psychological well-being: relational resources (social support) are factors important for mothers, whereas psychological inner resources (ego-resiliency) are important for fathers. Further research on the topic is needed.

Parents of children with Down syndrome face many challenges related to their children's disability. They manage to raise their children primarily thanks to their internal resources, protective psychological traits and help from other people. The aim of this study was to investigate the level of ego-resiliency as an important personality trait in a group of mothers and fathers of children with Down syndrome. The relationship between ego-resiliency and parental satisfaction was also studied. The sample consisted of 126 parents (75 mothers and 51 fathers). Our results show that there is no difference in the level of ego-resiliency between mothers and fathers of children with Down syndrome. Nevertheless, it is noticed that there is a difference in perceived stress, psychological well-being and some aspects of parental satisfaction between parents with high and low levels of ego-resiliency. These results give an interesting insight into the internal functioning of parents of children with Down syndrome.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between perceived stress and psychological well-being among parents of children with down syndrome. The relationship between perceiving one's parenthood and well-being was also studied.The sample consisted of 126 parents (75 mothers and 51 fathers, aged 25 -69) of children with down syndrome. our results show that ego-resiliency is a partial mediator of the relationship between perceived stress and psychological well-being. Moreover, there is a difference in well-being between parents who perceive their parenthood as a burden or challenge, and parents who report happiness and satisfaction.