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Parenting stress in parents of children with developmental coordination disorder
Ana M Jijon1, Hayley C Leonard1
1School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, UK.
Insights
Parents of children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) experience significant stress. Addressing parental competence and support can reduce this stress, improving family well-being and child outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
- Child psychology
- Family studies
Background:
- Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) affects approximately 5% of children.
- DCD is frequently undiagnosed by clinicians.
- The impact of DCD on families, particularly parenting stress, requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if parents of children with DCD report clinically significant parenting stress.
- To identify factors contributing to parenting stress in families with DCD.
- To inform interventions for families affected by DCD.
Main Methods:
- A survey was administered to 174 parents of children aged 5-12 years diagnosed with DCD.
- Measures included child's motor and behavioral problems, parental competence, social support, and parenting stress.
- Multiple regression analyses were used to identify predictors of parenting stress.
Main Results:
- Two-thirds of parents reported clinically significant levels of parenting stress.
- Parental perceived competence and social support were significant predictors of parenting stress.
- Child's motor difficulties were not a unique predictor of parenting stress in this cohort.
Conclusions:
- The findings underscore the substantial impact of DCD on parental well-being.
- Targeted interventions focusing on enhancing parental competence are recommended.
- Improving parental well-being through support can positively influence parenting practices and child outcomes.
Background:
Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder which affects around 5% of children but is often not detected by clinicians.
Aims:
The aim of the current study was to investigate whether parents of children with DCD report clinically-significant levels of parenting stress, and to assess a number of factors contributing to this stress, based on evidence from research into other neurodevelopmental disorders.
Methods And Procedures:
A survey was completed by 174 parents of children aged 5-12 years with DCD (parents age M = 42;3, SD = 4;11), comprising measures of the child's motor difficulties and behavioural problems, the parent's perceived competence in the parenting role and perceived levels of social support, and parenting stress.
Outcomes And Results:
Two thirds of parents reported clinically-significant levels of stress. Multiple regression analyses revealed that all variables except for level of motor difficulties were unique predictors of parenting stress.
Conclusions And Implications:
The study highlights the need for greater awareness of DCD by bringing attention to the impact it can have on the whole family. Providing targeted interventions, particularly addressing parents' perceived competence in managing their child, could reduce parenting stress and improve parents' wellbeing. This in turn could influence their parenting and, therefore, child outcomes.
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