Perceived changes in well-being of parents with a child in a therapeutic toddler class

A 15-item questionnaire was developed to measure the perceived changes in well-being of parents with a motor disabled child during treatment in a Dutch therapeutic toddler class. Eighty-one mothers and 67 fathers completed the questionnaire. Factor analyses showed that two dimensions had to be distinguished in the questionnaire data. Parents perceived a positive change in well-being 10 months after their child started visiting the therapeutic toddler class. Mothers as well as fathers said to have gained more insight in their child's abilities and to feel less that they are all on their own. The impact of the toddler class program on well-being was greater for mothers than for fathers, especially with respect to feeling fit, planning social activities, and having time for their own relaxation. Fathers, however, gained more insight in the abilities of the child than mothers did after ten months. Regression analyses showed some family, parent, and child characteristics to be predictive of mothers' and fathers' perceived change in well-being. Implications of these findings for future research are discussed.