Citation

Guralnick MJ, Hammond MA, Neville B, Connor RT. J. Intellect. Disabil. Res. 2008; 52(12): 1138-1154.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1365-2788.2008.01073.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Background In this longitudinal study, we examined the relationship between the sources and functions of social support and dimensions of child‐ and parent‐related stress for mothers of young children with mild developmental delays.

Methods Sixty‐three mothers completed assessments of stress and support at two time points.

Results Multiple regression analyses revealed that parenting support during the early childhood period (i.e. advice on problems specific to their child and assistance with child care responsibilities), irrespective of source, consistently predicted most dimensions of parent stress assessed during the early elementary years and contributed unique variance. General support (i.e. primarily emotional support and validation) from various sources had other, less widespread effects on parental stress.

Conclusions The multidimensional perspective of the construct of social support that emerged suggested mechanisms mediating the relationship between support and stress and provided a framework for intervention.