Reasons for living in parents of developmentally delayed children

When children are diagnosed with developmental delays, their parents may experience psychological turmoil similar to that experienced by suicidal individuals. We sought to identify adaptive characteristics that may or may not be present in parents of children with developmental delays. Forty-nine children, with disabilities ranging from mild to severe, and their parents, were administered the Reasons for Living Inventory. No significant differences were revealed between men and women, or between individuals in 1-parent versus 2-parent households. The experience of having a disabled child may help to strengthen adaptive characteristics and, possibly, reduce the risk of suicide.