Perceived mental health in parents of children with rare congenital surgical diseases: a double ABCX model considering gender

Background Previous research has supported the utility of the Double ABCX model of family adaptation for parents in various diseases. Nonetheless, it remains unclear how raising a child with rare congenital surgical diseases impacts the mental health of both mothers and fathers. Methods The potential predictors of maternal and paternal mental health in a German sample of 210 parents of children with rare congenital surgical diseases were investigated. Parents were investigated cross-sectionally utilizing standardized psychometric questionnaires that assessed factors attributed to parental adaptation within the Double ABCX model. Results Stressor pile-up, family functioning, perceived stress, and mental health were positively associated with mothers and fathers. However, further analyses revealed that family functioning, social support, and perceived stress fully mediated the positive association between stressor pile-up and mental health in mothers, but not fathers. Conclusion Our findings suggest that parental adaptation to a rare congenital surgical disease in their children may be improved by increased intra- and extrafamilial resources and decreased perceived family-related stress in mothers, but not fathers. Our results may help to identify gender-specific factors that may guide clinicians and future interventions.

Predictors of Quality of Life Among an International Sample of Mothers of Children 12 and Under With Corpus Callosum Disorders

Previous research supports application of the Double ABCX model of family adaptation of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder and other pervasive developmental disorders. This is the first study to consider processes of adaptation among parents of children with agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC). Using a quantitative cross-sectional design, an international sample of 266 mothers of children, aged 12 or under, with ACC completed an online survey. Parental reports of stress, resources, coping, and sense of coherence were evaluated as predictors of four subdimensions of parental quality of life for 178 mothers. In general, findings support the Double ABCX model as a viable approach to understanding processes that are related to quality of life among this group of mothers.

Perceived Stress and Social Adaptation of the Primary Caregivers of Children with Intellectual Disabilities

The study aimed to explore whether McCubbin and Patterson’s Double ABCX model of stress and adaptation can promote a better understanding of the impacts of social support, definition of the stressor and coping strategies on stress and adaptation of the primary caregivers of Intellectually Disabled (ID) children above and beyond the effects of other factors. Structured Interview Schedule, Perceived Stress Scale (Keya, 2006) and Social Adjustment Scale (Mahmuda & Parvin, 2005) were administered on 130 caregivers of ID children and 140 caregivers of typically developing children recruited conveniently. Findings reveal that stress and adaptation of the caregivers of ID children were significantly positively associated (r = .429, p < .01). Significant variations in stress and adaptation of the caregivers of ID children were found in terms of children’s disability types (F = 14.50, df = 4/120, p < .001 for stress; F = 11.92, df = 4/120, p < .001 for adaptation) and severity of disability (F = 5.21, df = 1/120, p < .05 for stress; F = 11.14, df = 1/120, p < .01 for adaptation). Factors of the Double ABCX model of stress and adaptation created significant variations in stress (F = 17.94, df = 3/121, p < .001) and adaptation (F = 9.96, df = 3/121, p < .001) of the caregivers of ID children above and beyond the effects of other factors. The findings suggest that the Double ABCX model is valuable in understanding stress and adaptation of the primary caregivers of ID children.