Caring for children with learning disabilities who present problem behaviours: a maternal perspective

Abstract

The theoretical cognitive model of stress and coping provides a structure to obtain and analyse maternal perceptions of caring for children with learning disabilities who present severe problem behaviours. The Family Fund database identified 18 families who met the sample criteria of children aged five years to 15 years with severe to moderate learning disability presenting severe problem behaviour. Physical aggression was reported to be the primary behavioural problem for 13 of the children. Interviews undertaken with the main carer of the child at their home were taped and transcribed. The data were analysed using grounded theory techniques which identified 'secondary stressors' for the parent. These were social isolation, conflict, limitation of lifestyle and self-blame. It is proposed that the amalgamated impact of these can weaken parents' coping resources and, therefore, may prove to be as significant to the negative association with maternal wellbeing as the problem behaviour.

Parental experiences of caring for a child with intellectual disabilities

“…Results showed that the participants tended to experience greater difficulty with practical and social care tasks despite managing problem behaviours featuring within the theme of impact upon the family (Johnson et al, 2006). They also expressed a lack of satisfaction with formal support and low service provision.…”

“…Tiredness and a lack of childcare also contributed to social isolation (Todd and Jones, 2005) as well as the amount of planning and routine that is involved in every activity, meaning that the child's disability dominated most activities (Johnson et al, 2006;Todd and Jones, 2005). Parents in the study by Catherall and Iphofen (2006) expressed feelings of frustration that the amount of planning and structure that has to go into each activity meant that the family spontaneity was affected.…”

“…Another factor that contributed to the parents' ability to cope was identified as child problem behaviours such as poor concentration, restlessness and mood swings (Kenny and McGilloway, 2007) and disturbed sleep and physical aggression (Johnson et al, 2006). The level of support that parents received also had an influence on their ability to cope (HowieDavies and McKenzie, 2007;Kenny and McGilloway, 2007), Todd and Jones (2005) and Towers and Swift (2006) found that parents benefitted from the support that they received from each other.…”

Impact of Tourette’s Disorder on Parent Reported Stress

“…Researchers have also identified several negative sequelae in parents of children with learning disabilities (Al-Yagon 2007;Johnson et al 2006). Specifically, parents of children with learning disabilities report significantly more symptoms of depression and poor parent coping strategies (Al-Yagon 2007).…”

Empowering Approaches by Chinese Parents of Special Need Children

“…Parents who are asked to implement strategies that outsource them will experience greater level of secondary stress (Johnson, O"Reilly & Vostanis, 2006). It is vital to advise parents of special need child to be pragmatic when deploying their resources lest the cohesiveness of family be jeopardized.…”