Abstract
This study explored educational and occupational goals of mothers caring for a child with Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS). Data
were collected from 97 mothers (M
age = 41.31 years, SD
age = 9.60) via online survey. Results showed that 63.0% of mothers earned an undergraduate or professional degree, while 55.0%
desired to further their education. Those who gave birth to their first child during young adulthood were more likely to complete
an undergraduate or graduate degree than those who were younger when their first child was born (χ
2 = 34.53, p = .003). Overall, 34.1% reported low occupational satisfaction, while 36.5% reported high satisfaction. Approximately 45%
desired to change occupations. Caregiver well-being, satisfaction, self-efficacy, depressive symptoms, and fatigue together
predicted occupational satisfaction beyond the influence of education obtained or household income (∆R
2 = .28, ∆F(5,74) = 4.93, p = .001). Independently, occupational satisfaction was directly influenced by caregiver satisfaction (B = .23, p = .04) and well-being (B = .09, p = .01). Mothers caring for a child with SMS express distinct challenges in meeting educational and occupational goals while
balancing caregiver demands. Clinical and research implications are discussed.
were collected from 97 mothers (M
age = 41.31 years, SD
age = 9.60) via online survey. Results showed that 63.0% of mothers earned an undergraduate or professional degree, while 55.0%
desired to further their education. Those who gave birth to their first child during young adulthood were more likely to complete
an undergraduate or graduate degree than those who were younger when their first child was born (χ
2 = 34.53, p = .003). Overall, 34.1% reported low occupational satisfaction, while 36.5% reported high satisfaction. Approximately 45%
desired to change occupations. Caregiver well-being, satisfaction, self-efficacy, depressive symptoms, and fatigue together
predicted occupational satisfaction beyond the influence of education obtained or household income (∆R
2 = .28, ∆F(5,74) = 4.93, p = .001). Independently, occupational satisfaction was directly influenced by caregiver satisfaction (B = .23, p = .04) and well-being (B = .09, p = .01). Mothers caring for a child with SMS express distinct challenges in meeting educational and occupational goals while
balancing caregiver demands. Clinical and research implications are discussed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-14
- DOI 10.1007/s10882-011-9241-5
- Authors
- Rebecca H. Foster, Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Surbhi Kanotra, Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Marilyn Stern, Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Sarah H. Elsea, Department of Pediatrics, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1101 E. Marshall St, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- Journal Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities
- Online ISSN 1573-3580
- Print ISSN 1056-263X