Parenting Stress in Parents of Children with Learning Disabilities: Effects of Cognitions and Coping Styles

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between parental cognitions, coping styles, and stress in parents of children with learning disabilities. More specifically, parental beliefs about self-efficacy and satisfaction in the parenting role were examined in relation to parenting stress. Furthermore, the relationship between parenting stress and problem-focused and emotion-focused coping styles was evaluated. Participants, who were 147 parents of 5- to 12-year-old children who had been diagnosed with a learning disability, completed three self-report measures. A hierarchical multiple regression model was used to examine the effects of the predictor variables on parenting stress. Results revealed that parents’ perceptions of the severity of their child's learning disability, as well as their use of emotion-focused coping strategies, were significant predictors of parenting stress levels. Participants’ beliefs regarding their self-efficacy in the parenting role and their satisfaction with the parenting role were not significant predictors of parenting stress. Additionally, parental use of problem-focused coping strategies was not a significant predictor of parenting stress. Implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed.