Single Mothers with Handicapped Children: Different from Their Married Counterparts?

Quality of Life, Coping Styles, Stress Levels, and Time Use in Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Comparing Single Versus Coupled Households

“…This study did not find difference in parental stress levels between single and coupled mothers, which was similar to a previous research finding for mothers of children with a disability (Schilling et al, 1986). The instrument used in this study, the APSI (Silva & Schalock, 2012), measures parental stress levels that are specifically related to the characteristics of ASD and do not measure other parental stress factors, such as lowered income.…”

“…A study conducted in Australia, found no statistically significant difference between single and coupled mothers in everyday time use (Craig & Mullan, 2012;Le & Miller, 2013). However, an earlier study that compared family life experiences between single and coupled mothers of children with a disability found that single mothers of children with a disability experienced more time pressures than coupled mothers (Schilling, Kirkham, Snow, & Schinke, 1986). In the current study, participants estimated hours for listed activities.…”

A study on family opinions concerning services provided in special education centers

“…It was observed that mothers are desperate and anxious about how their children will struggle in their life after them or whether their children would always continue in a similar way of life. As we examine the other studies made on this topic, we observe that they are in parallel with the findings of this study and that the parents of disabled children have some worries about the future and that they share negative thoughts (Coskun & Akkas, 2009;Ozsoy et al, 2006;Schilling et al, 1986). The reasons for these concerns may be explained by different possibilities.…”

“…Besides, if those children need life long day care during or if they have problematic behaviours, the stress and anxiety level experienced by the family in overcoming those difficulties, and concerns regarding the child's future, increase. On the other hand, matters such as the children's acquisition of independent living skills, how to carry on in the absence of their mother or father, and the education or services they would receive in the future when they become adults are among the factors increasing the level of anxiety (Coskun & Akkas, 2009;Ozsoy, Ozkahraman & Calli, 2006;Schilling, Kirkham, Snow & Schinke, 1986). It seems that there are a lot of studies we have looked at in the literature about the involvement of the special need child in the family, feelings of the family, anticipations and solution ways (Evans, 2007;Hatton, Emerson, Graham, Blacher & Llewellyn, 2010;Howard, Williams & Lepper, 2010;Ristal and Singer, 2004;Yates, 2012), while in some of these studies the importance of family support services in dealing with emotional states is emphasised (Howard et al, 2010;Yates, 2012) and how they deal with these emotions, and that most families do not know how to behave in this situation and that their marriages do not continue (Hatton et al, 2009;Ristal and Singer, 2004).…”

Families of Disabled Children in the Israeli Kibbutz: A Community Which Provides for All Needs

“…Feelings of frustration have also been reported by parents living outside kibbutzim in the process of negotiating with social service delivery systems (e.g., Schilling, Kirkham, Snow, & Schinke, 1986;Wilder, 1981). However, such feelings are especially painful for parents living in a small commune which they expect will provide all needed services.…”