Social Support for Parents of Disabled Children

―Influence on Marital Support and Childcare Stress―

Abstract

　　The research for mothers of disabled children showed that marital support is the most positive effects to the mental health and the attitudes toward their children in various support sources. However，it is difficult that the parents of disabled children sustain marital support, because the advice from people may intervene the autonomy and the boundary of parents, and that the childcare may strengthen relation of mother and children. Therefore，the people who support family of disabled children should respect for marital support and the autonomy of family.

　　This study surveyed 85 parents of disabled children to investigate influence of social support for parents on marital support and childcare stress among parents of disabled children. 85 parents answered questionnaires that consisted of questions on social support scales, marital support scales, and free comments about childcare. Result that high social support, particularly informational support, reported by fathers is related to high marital support perceived by both parents. Mothers received lower marital support, and furthermore their comments on childcare were more negative than those of mothers who received high marital support. This result suggests that social support for father effects on important aspects of marital support and childcare stress.