Profile of Mothers of Children with a Disability Who Seek Support for Mental Health and Wellbeing

Helen M. Bourke-Taylor, Kahli S. Joyce, Sarah Grzegorczyn, Loredana Tirlea

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper investigated the characteristics of mothers of children with a disability who registered for a mental health and wellbeing workshop. The questionnaire measured mental health, health-related behaviours, empowerment, family cohesion, wellbeing and child-related variables. Regression analysis identified factors associated with depressive symptoms and positive wellbeing. Fifty-seven percent of participants (N = 171) had depressive symptoms within the clinical range. Higher symptoms were associated with reduced: empowerment (r = −.39, p <.01); positive-wellbeing (r = −.66, p <.05); and healthy activity (r = −.41, p <.001). Low positive wellbeing (β =.55, p <.001) was the strongest predictor of depressive symptoms. Family cohesion (β =.25, p <.001), was the strongest predictor of positive-wellbeing. Future health and wellbeing interventions that support mothers with high care responsibilities should include psycho-education and strategies to address healthy maternal and family-related behaviour changes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3800–3813
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Volume52
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2022

Keywords

  • Childhood disability
  • Mental health
  • Mothers
  • Wellbeing

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