The influence of disabling condition visibility on family functioning

Examined whether the level of family functioning and the components contributing to adaptive family functioning differed in families of visibly handicapped children (cerebral palsy) when compared to families of nonvisibly disabled children (diabetes). Other factors included effect of disability severity on family functioning, comparison of families of disabled children to families of able-bodied children, and comparison of mothers' and fathers' perceptions of family functioning. The sample comprised 139 two-parent families of children with cerebral palsy (n = 48), diabetes (n = 46), and able-bodied children (n = 45) (all 5-11 years old). Results showed that neither visibility nor severity of disability differentially impacted family functioning. Furthermore, families of the disabled children exhibited high levels of family functioning which were similar to control families. Differences were not found between the ways mothers and fathers perceived family functioning.