Self-reported adjustment, chronic sorrow, and coping of parents of children with Down syndrome

Mothers and fathers of children with Down syndrome were surveyed on overall patterns of adjustment and on frequency of chronic sorrow and coping behaviors. Fathers overwhelmingly (83%) depicted their adjustment in terms of steady, gradual recovery, while the majority of mothers (68%) reported a peaks-and-valleys, periodic crises pattern; chi 2 = 8.64, p less than .01. Mothers also reported higher frequencies for chronic sorrow as well as for behaviors such as self-blame and expression of negative affect. Thus, mothers and fathers in the same family may experience distinct differences in adjustment and coping as parents of a handicapped child.