Exploring Mental Health, Self-Compassion and Support in New Parents of Children With Disabilities vs. Nondisabled Children

IF 2 4区医学 Q2 PEDIATRICS

Child Care Health and Development Pub Date : 2025-08-04 DOI:10.1111/cch.70150

Monika Skura, Grażyna Dryżałowska, Anna Steinhagen, Weronika Lorens-Rosa

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

The study aimed to determine whether the type of disability (intellectual, motor, hearing, or autism spectrum) differentiates mental health, parental stress, self-compassion and perceived support among parents of children aged 0–7 years.

Methods

The study took place anonymously from February to May 2023 using online questionnaires. Instruments such as GHQ-12, PSS-10, PSI-4-SF, Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) and MSPSS were used to assess mental health, parental stress, self-compassion and social support. Tools were translated, adapted and reliability tested for Polish conditions.

Results

While no significant differences in mental health symptoms were observed across disability types, parents of children with autism and intellectual disabilities reported higher stress related to daily life and personal problems. They also faced more conflicts, lower parental competence and less support from friends, particularly those with children on the autism spectrum.

Conclusion

Parents of children with autism spectrum disorders experience the highest stress levels and lowest parental competence. Specialists should prioritize teaching self-compassion and social support utilization while continuously monitoring the mental health of these parents to improve their well-being and caregiving.

查看原文本刊更多论文

探索残疾儿童与非残疾儿童的新父母的心理健康、自我同情和支持

本研究旨在确定残疾类型（智力、运动、听力或自闭症谱系）是否在0-7岁儿童的父母中区分心理健康、父母压力、自我同情和感知支持。方法该研究于2023年2月至5月匿名进行，采用在线问卷调查。采用GHQ-12、PSS-10、PSI-4-SF、自我同情量表（SCS）和MSPSS评估心理健康、父母压力、自我同情和社会支持。工具经过翻译、调整和可靠性测试，以适应波兰的条件。结果不同残疾类型的儿童在心理健康症状上没有显著差异，但自闭症和智力残疾儿童的父母报告的日常生活和个人问题相关的压力更高。他们还面临着更多的冲突、更低的父母能力和更少的朋友支持，尤其是那些孩子患有自闭症的人。结论自闭症谱系障碍患儿家长压力水平最高，家长能力最低。专家应该优先教授自我同情和社会支持的利用，同时持续监测这些父母的心理健康，以提高他们的幸福感和照顾能力。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Child Care Health and Development 医学-小儿科

CiteScore

3.40

自引率

5.30%

发文量

136

审稿时长

4-8 weeks

期刊介绍： Child: care, health and development is an international, peer-reviewed journal which publishes papers dealing with all aspects of the health and development of children and young people. We aim to attract quantitative and qualitative research papers relevant to people from all disciplines working in child health. We welcome studies which examine the effects of social and environmental factors on health and development as well as those dealing with clinical issues, the organization of services and health policy. We particularly encourage the submission of studies related to those who are disadvantaged by physical, developmental, emotional and social problems. The journal also aims to collate important research findings and to provide a forum for discussion of global child health issues.