Abstract
Examined the contribution of perceived problem-solving ability to the adjustment of mothers of children with a physical disability, in conjunction with appraised disability-related stress and approach and avoidance coping, as a further evaluation of Wallander and Varni’s Disability—Stress-Coping model emphasizing cognitive processes. One hundred sixteen mothers of children, ages 2 to 20, with spina bifida or cerebral palsy completed measures of relevant constructs. Results show that the mother’s appraisal of disability-related stress is strongly associated with her reported maladjustment. However, perceptions of competence in problem solving are associated with better overall adjustment. A portion of this relation appears mediated by coping style, as confidence in one’s problem-solving ability increases so does the likelihood of selecting more adaptive coping strategies when faced with disability-related stress. Overall, consideration of perceived problem-solving ability appears to make a valuable contribution to the Disability-Stress-Coping model and to current understanding of the experience of coping with raising a child with a disability. Perceived problem-solving ability can also be linked to clinical interventions, as discussed.
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This research was supported in pan by grants K04 HD00867 and R0I HD25310 awarded to Jan L. Wallander from NIH/NICHD.
The assistance from Trudi Venters. Susan Moore. Sarah Morris, Edic Cole, and Winnie Lowe in collecting these data and the substantial support provided by the staff at Children’s Rehabilitation Service. Birmingham, Alabama (Randy Hebson, Director) are gratefully acknowledged.
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Noojin, A.B., Wallander, J.L. Perceived Problem-Solving Ability, Stress, and Coping in Mothers of Children with physical disabilities: Potential cognitive influences on adjustment. Int. J. Behav. Med. 4, 415–432 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327558ijbm0404_10
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327558ijbm0404_10