Social Support and Social Opportunities as Predictors of Stress among Parents of Children with Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities in Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates

ABSTRACT Background This study investigates the stress that parents can experience as a result of raising children with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, in relation to various child and family characteristics and to families’ social opportunities and social support. Method A total of 225 parents of children with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities in Abu Dhabi Emirate completed a quantitative questionnaire. Results Parental stress was significantly correlated with children’s age and type of disability, with mothers’ age, fathers’ education, children’s place of residence, number of children with disabilities in the family, family monthly income, social opportunities and social support, but with none of the other characteristics examined. Conclusions Governmental and non-governmental organizations in the United Arab Emirates should take measures to improve the psychological well-being of parents of children with disabilities, a key intervention being the improvement of support services to such parents. Some cultural issues have been discussed.