38 Economic Consequences of Childhood Disability: Differential Effects on Maternal Employment by Race and Family Income

Patterns of response in families of chronically disabled children: An assessment in five metropolitan school districts.

“…The literature on mothers of children with disabilities does not present a uniform picture , however. Several major studies have found no diffe rences in person ality variables and parental attitudes be tween mothers of children with a variety of handicaps and mothers of healthy children (Boll, Kimino , & Mattson, 1978;Breslau, Staruch, & Mortimer, 1982) . Some studies suggest that fathers are ac tually more at risk for psychological prob lems than are mothers (Longo & Bond, 95 1984).…”

“…Most studies of the adjustment of families foc us on the impact on individuals within the family (e .g., mothers , fathers , siblings) rather than on the family as an entire system or unit. Several papers have documented an increase in depressive symptoms in mothers of children with a chronic illness (Breslau, 1983;Breslau, Staruch, & Mortimer, 1982;Gayton, 1977;Tew & Lawrence, 1973;Winkler, 1981). The literature on mothers of children with disabilities does not present a uniform picture , however.…”