Lucille Wolf

Parenting stress, child behavior problems, and dysphoria in parents of children with autism, Down syndrome, behavior disorders, and normal development.

Abstract We assessed differences in parental reports of parenting stress, child behavior problems, and dysphoria in 150 families who had children with autism (n = 30), behavior disorders (n = 30), Down syndrome (n = 30), or normal development (n = 60). We measured stress with the Parenting Stress Index, child behavior problems with the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory, and dysphoria with the Beck Depression Inventory. We controlled data for sociodemographic differences across groups, and results indicated the following: (1) Parents of children with autism and behavior disorders experienced statistically and clinically higher levels of parenting stress than parents in the other two groups. (2) Parents of children with behavior disorders reported that their children presented behavioral difficulties that were statistically and clinically more intense and numerous than those of all other children. (3) Mothers of children with autism and behavior disorders experienced statistically and clinically higher levels...

A Longitudinal Study of Siblings of Children with Chronic Disabilities

Objective: To examine the unaffected siblings of 2 different groups with chronic disabilities, pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) and Down syndrome (DS), over 3 years, comparing their adjustment with each other and with the siblings of a nondisabled group. Method: This study examines 137 siblings of children with PDD, children with DS, and developmentally normal children (control group) initially and 127 siblings at follow-up 3 years later. Their adjustment is measured by the Survey Diagnostic Instrument (SDI), completed by caregivers and teachers. Predictor variables include sibling self-perception, social support, and relationship with sibling, as indicated by siblings; caregiver psychosocial factors such as parental stress, caregiver depression, and marital relationship; family systems characteristics as viewed by both caregiver and sibling; and difficulty that disabled child causes as perceived by the primary caregiver. Results: Significantly more adjustment problems are found in the siblings of PDD children at both times when compared with siblings of DS and control children. Caregivers of PDD children report the highest levels of distress and depression, and this persists over time. Parent distress was found, at both times, to be related to sibling adjustment problems, regardless of study group. Conclusion: These results have implications for preventive intervention for the unaffected siblings of PDD children.

Risk and protective factors affecting the adjustment of siblings of children with chronic disabilities

OBJECTIVE To examine the adjustment of nondisabled siblings of handicapped children. METHOD In a 3-year longitudinal study, 46 siblings of children with pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), 45 siblings of children with Down syndrome, and 46 siblings of developmentally normal children (serving as controls) were examined at time 1 using the sibling, primary caretaker, and teacher as informants. Both direct and indirect variables related to sibling adjustment were considered. RESULTS Significantly more difficulties were found in the siblings of children with PDD compared with the other two groups. Different correlates of adjustment were present in the siblings of the disabled compared with nondisabled children, and mediating factors differed in parent and teacher reports of internalizing difficulties in siblings of children with PDD. Marital satisfaction, lack of parental depression, a cohesive family, and a warm, nonconflictual sibling relationship were protective for normal control and Down syndrome siblings but not for PDD siblings. CONCLUSION Findings underline the risks for the siblings of children with PDD and suggest the importance of a transactional mechanism rather than identification of single risk or protective factors in predicting sibling adjustment. Subsequent data analysis in this longitudinal study will assist in defining these mechanisms and allow for improved intervention strategies.

Mentally retarded adolescent sex offenders. A survey and pilot study.

There is not a great deal of empirical research on adolescent sex offenders and even less on mentally retarded adolescent sex offenders. This study provides some preliminary data in this area. Results of a survey of the extent and types of sexual problems evident amongst groups of mentally retarded and intellectually normal adolescents (N = 196), seen at an assessment and treatment centre in southwestern Ontario during a 14 month period is presented. In addition three groups of ten adolescents each (mentally retarded and intellectually normal sex offenders and one group of mentally retarded non-offenders with behavioural problems) were investigated to gain a more indepth perspective of characteristics of these adolescents and their backgrounds. Considering the high recidivism rate for these groups, indications for treatment are discussed with special consideration for the mentally retarded offenders.

Effect of Sibling Perception of Differential Parental Treatment in Sibling Dyads With One Disabled Child

OBJECTIVE To examine sibling perception of parental differential treatment in families of children with pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), Down syndrome (DS), and nondisabled controls. METHOD Sibling self-concept and social support were studied in the context of sibling perceptions of parental differential treatment and caretaker plus teacher evaluations of sibling behavioral adjustment. Measures were completed at time 1 and time 2. The effect of parental stress and the difficulty of the disabled child, as well as the sibling relationship, were considered. RESULTS For siblings of PDD children, internalizing and externalizing behavior problems identified by caretakers were evident at time 1 and more accentuated at time 2, at which time teachers also identified these difficulties. DS siblings were reported by caretakers and teachers to have only internalizing problems and only at time 2. These difficulties related to the perception for PDD siblings that they were preferred over their disabled sibling and for the DS sibling that their disabled sibling was preferred. Feelings of low competence predicted internalizing difficulties. Social support, especially over time, had a positive effect for all siblings, including the controls. CONCLUSION The elucidation of specific mechanisms contributing to adjustment problems in the siblings of disabled children will allow for the development of specific preventive interventions.