Values anglo-american and mexican-american mothers hold for their children with physical disabilities

This study investigated the values held by Anglo-American and Mexican-American mothers of children with physical disabilities. The study also examined whether these values affected the mothers' satisfaction with their children's habilitative services.

Sixty mothers of Anglo-American or Mexican-American background from low- and middle-income groups participated. Each mother ranked 12 value traits, which represented various aspects of her child's development, and completed 15 statements regarding her satisfaction with the habilitative services provided to her child.

Mothers in the middle-income Anglo-American group were found to place greater emphasis on morality and less emphasis on health and neatness/cleanliness than mothers in the other three groups. Mothers in the middle-income Anglo-American group were also more confident about the future of their children and their own ability to help their children.

These findings can be interpreted using the contact hypothesis theory, in which middle-income Anglo-Americans represent the "in-group." The author suggests physical therapists need to be aware and sensitive to differences among patients' families, especially as they relate to socioeconomic class and ethnicity.