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The impact of chronic childhood illness on family stress: A comparison between autism and cystic fibrosis
Author(s) -
Bouma Ruth,
Schweitzer Robert
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/1097-4679(199011)46:6<722::aid-jclp2270460605>3.0.co;2-6
Subject(s) - autism , cystic fibrosis , psychology , physical illness , intervention (counseling) , chronic stress , clinical psychology , psychiatry , medicine , mental health , neuroscience
The study compared the different patterns of stress reported by mothers of children with either a chronic physical illness (cystic fibrosis), a chronic psychological disorder (autism), and children without a physical or psychological disorder. Twenty‐four mothers from each of these three groups completed the Questionnaire on Resources and Stress Short Form (Holroyd & Guthrie, 1986). Each clinical group exhibited different patterns of stressful response consistent with the nature of the disorder and the requirements of care imposed on the families. Autism was found to contribute significantly more to family stress than did cystic fibrosis. The number of children in the family was not a significant variable. Implications for the development of family intervention programs are discussed.