Purpose. Mothers caring for children with disabilities often experience parental stress, which may lead them to suffer from depression. It is necessary to find a way to relieve their stress and depression. Therefore, we examined the effect of parental stress on depression and the buffering role of social support between them in a sample of 164 mothers of children with disabilities. Participants. One hundred and sixty-four participants (aged 25–58 years) in Gwangju and Jeollanamdo, South Korea, completed a set of self-reported measures. Methods. Parental stress, depression, and social support are assessed by Parental Stress Index, Multidimensional Scale Perceived Social Support, and Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, respectively. Results. Parental stress significantly predicted depression, and social support showed the buffering effect on the relationship between parental stress and depression among mothers of children with disabilities. These findings indicate that mothers who perceive a high level of social support are less likely to experience depression. Conclusions. This study shows the moderating effect of social support on the relationship between parental stress and depression among mothers of children with disabilities. The level of depression they experience is not that great if they perceive a high level of social support even if they experience a high level of parental stress. These findings imply that social support is a critical resource that prevents the negative effect of parental stress on depression among mothers of children with disabilities.

Purpose. Difficulties with sensory processing are known to have negative effects on individuals’ attachment styles and the interpersonal domain. We investigated the relationships among sensory processing styles, attachment styles, and interpersonal problems to better understand the role of attachment styles on the relationship between sensory processing styles and interpersonal problems. Participants. One-hundred and eighty-four university students (aged 18-28 years) completed a set of self-reported measures. Methods. Sensory processing styles, attachment styles, and interpersonal problems were assessed with the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile, Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised, and Inventory of Interpersonal Problems-Short Circumplex Form, respectively. Results. Low registration (r=0.587, p<0.001) and sensory avoidance (r=0.501, p<0.001) were positively correlated with interpersonal problems. Regression analyses indicated that low registration (β=0.301, p<0.001) and anxious attachment (β=0.640, p<0.001) were predictors of interpersonal problems (R2=0.672, p<0.001), and sensation avoidance (β=0.386, p<0.001) and avoidant attachment (β=0.233, p<0.001) were predictors of interpersonal problems (R2=0.286, p<0.001). Participants with higher levels of low registration reported higher levels of interpersonal problems, and this relationship was partially mediated by anxious attachment. Participants with higher levels of sensory avoidance reported higher levels of interpersonal problems, and this relationship was partially mediated by avoidant attachment. Conclusions. This study clarifies the relationships between sensory processing styles and interpersonal problems and the mediating effects of attachment styles. The results were discussed in light of the related literature.

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