Exploring Single Parenting Process in Malaysia: Issues and Coping Strategies

Background: High perceived stress levels and lack of effective coping skills could be a barrier to achieve the challenges of parenting process. Objectives: The study was conducted to find out the level of stress and coping strategies used by the parents of intellectual disable children. Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional quantitative research design was adopted among 100 respondents from three organizations. The study was conducted by using a Perceived Stress Index and Coping Inventory tools in Kathmandu valley. Result: It showed that three forth of parents had severe stress to clinical significant stress level during their parenting process. Parents were used to cope up stress by using various coping strategies like use of instrumental social support, positive reinterpretation and growth, planning, suppression of competing activities and use of emotional social support.Conclusion: Health educators should find out the most stressful areas and give a serious thought to encourage the use of healthy coping strategies to improve their parenting process.

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The Self-Efficacy in Multiple Sclerosis (SEMS) Scale

European Journal of Psychological Assessment ◽

10.1027/1015-5759/a000350 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 34 (5) ◽

pp. 352-360 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Silvia Bonino ◽

Federica Graziano ◽

Martina Borghi ◽

Davide Marengo ◽

Giorgia Molinengo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Measurement Invariance ◽

Sense Of Coherence ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Concurrent Validity ◽

Rasch Analysis ◽

Well Being ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

And Coping

Abstract. This research developed a new scale to evaluate Self-Efficacy in Multiple Sclerosis (SEMS). The aim of this study was to investigate dimensionality, item functioning, measurement invariance, and concurrent validity of the SEMS scale. Data were collected from 203 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients (mean age, 39.5 years; 66% women; 95% having a relapsing remitting form of MS). Fifteen items of the SEMS scale were submitted to patients along with measures of psychological well-being, sense of coherence, depression, and coping strategies. Data underwent Rasch analysis and correlation analysis. Rasch analysis indicates the SEMS as a multidimensional construct characterized by two correlated dimensions: goal setting and symptom management, with satisfactory reliability coefficients. Overall, the 15 items reported acceptable fit statistics; the scale demonstrated measurement invariance (with respect to gender and disease duration) and good concurrent validity (positive correlations with psychological well-being, sense of coherence, and coping strategies and negative correlations with depression). Preliminary evidence suggests that SEMS is a psychometrically sound measure to evaluate perceived self-efficacy of MS patients with moderate disability, and it would be a valuable instrument for both research and clinical applications.

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