[Sense of coherence in parents of children with cerebral palsy]

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the sense of coherence (SOC) and ways of coping with stress in parents of children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Two groups of participants were compared: 77 parents of children with CP and 62 parents of normally developing children. SOC was assessed using the Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC-29). Styles of coping with stress were analyzed applying the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS), whereas strategies--Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WCQ).

Results showed that parents of children with CP comparing parents of typically developing children reported a lower level of SOC and poorer manageability and meaningfulness. Parents with poorer SOC used avoidance, wishful thinking and resignation more often. Moreover, they applied the emotion-oriented style and distraction as the kind of avoidance-oriented style.

According to Antonovsky's concept, the SOC level is established in adulthood and it is relatively stable. These results showed that taking care of a child with CP is a potential source of chronic burden, which may cause a SOC level weakness.