Research in Developmental Disabilities最新文献

{"title":"Listening to music is associated with reduced physiological and subjective stress in people with mild intellectual disabilities: A biofeedback study","authors":"Marlieke van Swieten ,&nbsp;Peter de Looff ,&nbsp;Joanneke VanDerNagel ,&nbsp;Samantha Bouwmeester ,&nbsp;Robert Didden","doi":"10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104976","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104976","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Many people with mild intellectual disabilities are at increased risk to experience stress. Reducing stress is important because experiencing prolonged and elevated stress can have detrimental effects on mental and physical health and it is associated with aggressive behaviour and self-harm.</div></div><div><h3>Aims</h3><div>This preliminary study investigated whether an intervention combining biofeedback with listening to music is effective and whether a personalized music playlist is more effective than self-selected music in reducing physiological and subjective stress in participants with mild intellectual disabilities.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We collected 103 music listening sessions over a period of 2–4 weeks for 11 participants throughout their daily routines. They listened to music when they received biofeedback on their increased stress level (as measured by wearable biosensor Nowatch) or when they themselves felt stressed. Participants listened either to self-selected music or to a personalised playlist compiled with X-system, music technology that predicts the effect of a song on levels of autonomic arousal. Pulse rate (PR) and skin conductance level (SCL) were measured with the EmbracePlus and subjective feelings of stress and mood were measured with two scale questions. After the intervention phase, participants and their caregivers completed a short questionnaire to evaluate their experiences with using the X-system playlist.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Mixed regression analyses showed reductions in PR and SCL during listening to music, and indications were found for reductions in subjective stress and improvement of mood after intervention. Listening to music compiled with X-system was not more effective than listening to self-selected music. However, lower combined arousal values (a feature of X-system) from self-selected and X-system music predicted lower PR and SCL, indicating that these indices can be used to select songs that have a relaxing or energizing effect.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions and implications</h3><div>The present study suggests that music listening is associated with both subjective and physiological stress reduction. Listening to music might be an accessible, inexpensive and empowering strategy for stress reduction and improving emotion regulation, which could also benefit mental and physical health. Several challenges were encountered while implementing the intervention and suggestions for future research are given.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51351,"journal":{"name":"Research in Developmental Disabilities","volume":"161 ","pages":"Article 104976"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143697549","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correlates of physical activity, sedentary time, and cardiovascular disease risk factors in autistic adults without intellectual disabilities","authors":"Daehyoung Lee ,&nbsp;John Kennedy ,&nbsp;Donetta J. Cothran ,&nbsp;Patrick C. Shih ,&nbsp;Stephanie Dickinson ,&nbsp;Lilian Golzarri-Arroyo ,&nbsp;Georgia C. Frey","doi":"10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104980","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104980","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Emerging evidence indicates that autistic adults without intellectual disabilities (ID) are at elevated risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD).</div></div><div><h3>Aims</h3><div>This cross-sectional survey study aimed to assess the prevalence of physiological and mental health risk factors for CVD and examine how physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (ST) relate to CVD risk in autistic adults without ID.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>An online self-report survey addressing PA, ST, and CVD risk factors was delivered to 229 autistic adults without ID aged 18–55 years. Participants were recruited via direct contact with autism advocacy organizations in the U.S. and autism support groups on social media. Binary logistic regression analyses were used to explain the impact of PA and ST on CVD risk factors.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Higher ST was significantly associated with increased odds for high blood pressure, stroke, and mental health risk factors (depression, anxiety, bipolar, and obsessive-compulsive disorder; all <em>p</em> &lt; 0.05). No significant associations were found between PA and CVD risk factors.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Excessive ST in autistic adults without ID is associated with an increased risk for certain CVD factors, particularly those related to poor mental health. Health interventions should focus on breaking up prolonged sitting as a CVD prevention strategy in this population.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51351,"journal":{"name":"Research in Developmental Disabilities","volume":"161 ","pages":"Article 104980"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143697546","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing the impact of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on social communication in children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)","authors":"Alptekin Aydin ,&nbsp;Ali YILDIRIM","doi":"10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104958","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104958","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by persistent difficulties in social communication and behavior regulation. Although behavioral and pharmacological interventions exist, many yield limited improvements in these core areas. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), a non-invasive neuromodulation technique, has shown potential for enhancing social and cognitive functions in individuals with ASD. This study evaluated the impact of tDCS, applied over the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC), on social communication and behavioral outcomes in children and adolescents with ASD.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>Two hundred sixty-five participants (3–18 years) with clinically confirmed ASD diagnoses (including ADOS-2 assessments) received a four-week course of tDCS over the DLPFC. Outcome measures included the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS-2), the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2), and the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC). Family perceptions were explored through semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using paired t-tests and ANOVA, and qualitative data were examined via thematic analysis. No sham or control group was included.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Participants exhibited significant improvements in verbal and non-verbal communication (e.g., vocabulary, eye contact, gesture use), as well as reductions in repetitive behaviors and emotional dysregulation. Families reported decreased parental stress and enhanced family interactions, underscoring the intervention’s feasibility and acceptability.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>tDCS over the DLPFC shows promise as an adjunctive intervention to improve social communication and behavioral outcomes in children and adolescents with ASD. However, the absence of a control group and the short duration of follow-up limit causal inferences. Further randomized, controlled, and longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings and determine their long-term clinical relevance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51351,"journal":{"name":"Research in Developmental Disabilities","volume":"161 ","pages":"Article 104958"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143698006","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sharing the stage: Inclusion theater programming, social participation, and quality of life","authors":"Karen Whisenhunt Saar ,&nbsp;Monica Kaniamattam ,&nbsp;Hannah Huff","doi":"10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104982","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104982","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Social participation is a crucial Quality of Life (QoL) factor. Inclusion theater programming allows rehabilitation providers to collaborate with arts professionals to provide rich, authentic, inclusive therapeutic experiences for individuals with communication disorders secondary to intellectual and developmental disabilities and neurodivergence.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Qualitative thematic analysis was used to examine semi-structured interviews with five parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) or neurodivergence regarding their child’s participation in an inclusion theater program.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Parents described a typical social landscape that discourages social participation for neurodivergent children and children and adolescents with IDD. They appreciated the structure of this inclusion theater program, which they contrasted with their child's everyday reality. They described that both program design and personnel supported individualized learning. Perceived benefits included development of friendships and a sense of belonging within a community, along with encouraging demonstrations of confidence and self-advocacy. While this opportunity was held up to contrast their everyday social reality of exclusion and bullying, parents found this singular annual program insufficient. They pledged to advocate for better community education to expand inclusion opportunities.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>Social participation, a key QoL element, was observed by parents of children engaged in this inclusion theater program and credited for perceived positive benefits. Parents believed that the structure of the program promoted learning and skill growth, increases in personal factors such as confidence and self-advocacy, along with development of community, and a sense of responsibility that empowered the children. Success experienced in such programming can lead parents and children to try more mainstream opportunities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51351,"journal":{"name":"Research in Developmental Disabilities","volume":"161 ","pages":"Article 104982"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143682258","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A new quality of life index to enhance the inclusion of primary education students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Spain: A preliminary study","authors":"Antonio M. Amor ,&nbsp;Victoria Sánchez-Gómez ,&nbsp;Miguel Á. Verdugo ,&nbsp;Alba Aza ,&nbsp;Zofia Wolowiec","doi":"10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104975","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104975","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The Quality of Life Index-Primary Education (QoLI-PE) is a quality of life (QoL) assessment instrument under development that seeks to enhance the inclusion of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) enrolled in primary, general education in Spain. The goal of this work was to report evidence on its functioning through a pilot study and characterize the QoL of the participating students with IDD.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>130 primary education students with IDD were assessed with the QoLI-PE. The pilot study involved analyzing the quality of the items, the internal structure of the tool using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), and its internal consistency (Cronbach’s α, ordinal α, and ω). Descriptive statistics were calculated for each QoL domain to characterize the QoL of students with IDD. Repeated-measures ANOVA were run to compare the domains at the within-subjects level, while independent samples <em>t</em> test and one-way ANOVAs were performed to test for between-groups comparisons.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>After refining the items, the CFA supported the internal structure of the instrument based on the theoretical model of QoL composed by eight first-order intercorrelated domains (χ²/<em>df</em> = 1.266; RMSEA =.045; CFI =.985; TLI =.984). Internal consistency was excellent for all the domains (all indices above.75). Emotional wellbeing and self-determination were identified as areas of concern. Significant differences were found between the levels of disability according to limitations in social skills (for material wellbeing) and in practical skills (physical wellbeing and self-determination).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The QoLI-PE stands as a robust tool for its purpose. Strategies for QoL improvement are outlined, and future lines of research are provided.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51351,"journal":{"name":"Research in Developmental Disabilities","volume":"161 ","pages":"Article 104975"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143682259","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Quality of life in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD): A systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Gayatri Kumar ,&nbsp;Pamela Barhoun ,&nbsp;Ian Fuelscher ,&nbsp;Jill G. Zwicker ,&nbsp;Kaila Bianco ,&nbsp;Mervyn Singh ,&nbsp;Mugdha Mukherjee ,&nbsp;Jacqueline Williams ,&nbsp;Christian Hyde","doi":"10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104981","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104981","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) often report reduced quality of life (QoL). However, substantial variability in findings across studies hinders insight into the profile of QoL in DCD. To address this, we investigated QoL in children with DCD using a meta-analytic approach, examining overall QoL, and QoL across its separate domains - physical, emotional, social, and school.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Participants included 831 children with DCD (<em>M</em>_<em>age</em> = 10.10 years) and 10,283 neurotypical children (<em>M</em>_<em>age</em> = 10.04 years), i.e., controls. Separate meta-analyses were conducted for parent (<em>N</em> = 8) and child (<em>N</em> = 7) report data to compare overall QoL between those with and without DCD. Subgroup analyses compared QoL between groups across QoL domains. Concordance between parent and child-report was explored.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Children with DCD reported significantly lower overall QoL relative to controls (SMD_child = -0.38, <em>p</em>_child &lt;.001). This effect was consistent across domains, regardless of report-type. Parents reported significantly worse overall QoL for children with DCD than children themselves (95 % CI_parent [-1.59, -0.95], 95 % CI_child [-0.52, -0.24]) driven by the social (95 % CI_parent [-1.89, -0.52], 95 % CI_child [-0.36, -0.03]) and school domains (95 % CI_parent [-2.52, -0.65], 95 % CI_child [-0.53, -0.15]).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Our results demonstrate the widespread impact of DCD on well-being, supporting recent arguments that DCD is more than just a disorder of movement. Discordance between parent and child perceptions highlight the importance of using both report-types when examining QoL in DCD. Our work highlights the need for more research directly comparing the profile of QoL observed in those with DCD to those with neurodevelopmental conditions (either in isolation of, or co-occurrence with, DCD).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51351,"journal":{"name":"Research in Developmental Disabilities","volume":"160 ","pages":"Article 104981"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143687316","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) – An analysis of the ASD interventions utilized in Bangladesh","authors":"Tasmia Rahman,&nbsp;Md Zobaer Hasan","doi":"10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104971","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104971","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This study focused on analysing treatment applicability and effectiveness for ASD in Bangladesh based on the perspectives of parents/guardians, and educational or healthcare professionals.</div></div><div><h3>Methods and procedures</h3><div>We utilized a cross-sectional survey and a mixed methods approach was employed, integrating quantitative and qualitative data about interventions used, effectiveness, and satisfaction levels. Data were analysed via descriptive and inferential statistics, including independent sample t-tests.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The results revealed that developmental approaches were the most commonly used and participants expressed a high level of satisfaction with the interventions. Educational and healthcare professionals emphasized the importance of a multidisciplinary approach. The study also found no statistically significant difference in the effectiveness of interventions between the two cities.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The research highlights the need for a comprehensive and tailored approach to support individuals with ASD and provides valuable insights for organizations, policymakers, and professionals to improve the provision of effective interventions, It also focuses on the significance of involving caregivers in the treatment process. Further research is recommended to explore other regions’ interventions and evaluate the long-term outcomes of different treatment approaches.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51351,"journal":{"name":"Research in Developmental Disabilities","volume":"160 ","pages":"Article 104971"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143687314","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Relationship between motor competence and physical activity among children aged 3–6 years at risk for developmental coordination disorder","authors":"YanJie Chen ,&nbsp;Yu Song ,&nbsp;Xi Fei ,&nbsp;Shuo Yan ,&nbsp;XiangWei Long ,&nbsp;HongJuan Li ,&nbsp;AiMin Liang","doi":"10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104989","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104989","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>To date, it remains unclear whether young children at risk for developmental coordination disorder (DCD) develop deficits in physical activity participation, and the relationship between motor competence (MC) and physical activity (PA) in these children.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>To evaluate the levels of MC and PA in young children at risk for DCD (rDCD) and to explore the relationship between these two aspects.</div></div><div><h3>Methods and procedures</h3><div>A total of 124 children with rDCD and 124 typically developing (TD) children aged 3–6 years were selected. Each group included 85 boys and 39 girls. MC was evaluated using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 and the Test of Gross Motor Development-third edition. PA was assessed using the Questionnaire of Parents of Physical Activities of Young Children. MC variables were manual dexterity, aiming and catching, balance, and locomotor skills. PA variables were total PA (TPA), moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) and sedentary behavior (SB).</div></div><div><h3>Outcomes and results</h3><div>Children with rDCD had significantly lower scores in manual dexterity, aiming and catching, balance, and locomotor skills compared with TD children (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). There was no difference in TPA, MVPA and SB between children with rDCD and TD overall (<em>P</em> &gt; 0.05). Balance, aiming and catching, and locomotor skills in children with rDCD were weakly positively correlated with MVPA (<em>r</em> = 0.197–0.347, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). Balance, aiming and catching, and locomotor skills in children with rDCD significantly predicted MVPA (<em>β</em>= 0.219–0.342, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.05).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Young children at risk for DCD do not yet show deficits in physical activity participation. It is still important to develop motor competence in young children at risk for DCD, as this may help them sustain participation in physical activity and avoid early withdrawal.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51351,"journal":{"name":"Research in Developmental Disabilities","volume":"160 ","pages":"Article 104989"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143687315","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effectiveness of video displays versus traditional flashcards for global word learning in students with moderate-severe cognitive disabilities","authors":"Gat Savaldi-Harussi ,&nbsp;Sarit Plotnitzky ,&nbsp;Ronit Saban-Bezalel","doi":"10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104977","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104977","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Literacy is crucial for developing communication competence in students with complex communication needs (CCN). Existing technologies often inadequately support literacy strategies for these children. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is a promising approach, and video visual scene display (VVSD) has emerged as a motivational feature for AAC intervention. This study examined the effectiveness of Smart-Glove, which combines VVSD and flashcards to teach global words to Hebrew-speaking students with moderate-severe intellectual disabilities (ID) and CCN. Using an adapted alternating-treatment design, the research compared Smart-Glove to the traditional global word approach. Four school-age students participated in 20 sessions over four months, each lasting 15–20 minutes and held 1–3 times weekly. The Smart Glove intervention established functional relationships with word identification performance for two of the four participants, while the traditional intervention demonstrated this relationship with one participant. For the participant who showed improvement with both interventions, gains emerged earlier during the Smart Glove condition. Smart-Glove was effective for the two younger students (mean age 9:9) with moderate ID, but not for the two older students (mean age 18:5) with severe ID. These findings highlight the importance of age and cognitive level in personalizing literacy instruction. The study also suggests gradual implementation of these programs in increasing word exposure and intervention duration. Smart-Glove's integration of VVSD with the traditional approach potentially enhances literacy acquisition for children with moderate ID and CCN, offering new possibilities for personalized literacy instruction in special education settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51351,"journal":{"name":"Research in Developmental Disabilities","volume":"161 ","pages":"Article 104977"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143682257","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mothers and fathers of children and adolescents with Down syndrome experience parenting stress differently: Analysis on associated factors","authors":"Elisa Fucà ,&nbsp;Floriana Costanzo ,&nbsp;Luciana Ursumando ,&nbsp;Stefano Vicari","doi":"10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104979","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104979","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Caregivers of children and adolescents with intellectual disability, including Down syndrome (DS), experience higher levels of parental stress in comparison with caregivers of typically developing youths. However, existing research primarily focuses on maternal stress, with limited exploration of potential differences between mothers and fathers and the factors associated with their parental stress experience.</div></div><div><h3>Aims</h3><div>The current study had two aims: (i) to explore whether there are differences in parental stress levels between fathers and mothers of school-aged children with DS; (ii) to explore possible differences between mothers and fathers in the patterns of association between parenting stress reports and the child's clinical features.</div></div><div><h3>Methods and procedures</h3><div>This retrospective chart review involved a group of 79 couple of parents of children and adolescents with DS that underwent a neuropsychological evaluation, whereas parents completed parent-report measures. The clinical examination included the evaluation of child’s cognitive and linguistic abilities and parent-report measures to investigate parenting stress by the Parenting Stress Index - Short Form (PSI), and child’s behavioural and adaptive functioning.</div></div><div><h3>Outcomes and results</h3><div>Mothers exhibited higher levels of parenting stress, particularly for the Parenting Distress and Difficult Child subscales of the PSI. Moreover, only paternal, but not maternal parenting stress, was associated with child’s IQ. Conversely, the levels of maternal, but not paternal parenting stress were associated with child’s adaptive functioning. Differential patterns of association between parenting stress also emerged for child’s emotional and behavioural issues. Finally, we found that only maternal stress was associated with linguistic abilities. The regression model revealed that maternal parenting stress levels were significantly predicted by child’s adaptive skills, whereas paternal parenting stress levels were significantly predicted by child’s maladaptive behaviours.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions and implications</h3><div>Mothers and fathers of children with DS experience parenting stress differently. Recognizing these differences between parents, treatment providers, especially those who provide parent-training or parent-mediated interventions, can tailor their approach as needed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51351,"journal":{"name":"Research in Developmental Disabilities","volume":"160 ","pages":"Article 104979"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143644399","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}