The Influence of Disabling Condition Visibility on Family Functioning

Abstract

Examined whether the level of family functioning and the components contributing to adaptive family functioning differed in families of visibly handicapped children (cerebral palsy) when compared to families of nonvisibly disabled children (diabetes). Other factors included effect of disability severity on family functioning, comparison of families of disabled children to families of able-bodied children, and comparison of mothers' and fathers' perceptions of family functioning. The sample comprised 139 two-parent families of children with cerebral palsy (n = 48), diabetes (n = 46), and able-bodied children (n = 45) (all 5-11 years old). Results showed that neither visibility nor severity of disability differentially impacted family functioning. Furthermore, families of the disabled children exhibited high levels of family functioning which were similar to control families. Differences were not found between the ways mothers and fathers perceived family functioning.

Parenting stress and anger expression as predictors of child abuse potential

“…Moreover, families of children with multiple disabilities who had a history of substantiated abuse were compared to nonreported families who had children with disabilities, and no significant differences were found in current stress between the groups (Benedict, Wulff, & White, 1992), Another study reported mean stress scores, both parent-and child-related aspects, comparable to the normative sample (Krauss, 1993). Such findings reflect several authors' interpretation that despite significant stressors, families of children with disabilities adapt and accommodate without significant impact on family functioning (Gallimore, Weisner, Bernheimer, Guthrie, & Nihira, 1993;Kazak & Marvin, 1984;Saddler, Hillman, & Benjamins, 1993).…”

“…Several studies neglected to report the ethnic composition of their study samples, apparently not considering race a pertinent issue (Cameron et al, 1991;Kazak & Marvin, 1984;Krauss, 1993), Many studies report predominantly or entirely Caucasian samples (Beckman, 1983(Beckman, , 1991Boyce et al, 1991;Dyson, 1991Dyson, , 1993Kirkham et al, 1986;McKinney & Peterson, 1987), In addition, those studies reporting the socioeconomic status of their samples describe their samples as middle income or above (e.g., Beckman, 1983Beckman, , 1991Dyson, 1991Dyson, , 1993Gallimore et al, 1993;Saddler et al, 1993). Moreover, studies primarily involve families with two parents present (e.g., Beckman, 1983Beckman, , 1991McKinney & Peterson, 1987;Dyson, 1991Dyson, , 1993Gallimore et al, 1993;Krauss, 1993;Saddler et al, 1993), Some of these authors acknowledge the limitations of interpreting findings due to their sample characteristics (Beckman, 1991;Boyce et al, 1991;Dyson, 1991Dyson, , 1993.…”

Parents of children with cerebral palsy: a review of factors related to the process of adaptation

“…1992). Others did not find differences in stress levels of mothers of children with different kinds of disabilities (Saddler et al . 1993; Molteno & Lachman 1996).…”

Comparing the Self-Concepts of Hong Kong Chinese Adults With Visible and Not Visible Physical Disability

“…For example, a study by Huebner, Thomas, and Berven (1999) showed that there were no main effects of visible disability on attachment and interpersonal characteristics. Saddler, Hillman, and Benjamins ( 1993) found that neither visibility nor the severity of a disability differentially affected family functioning. Levinson and Starling ( I 98 1) found that the level of stigma was not significantly related to the visibility of the child's defect.…”