1. Objectifs

Intentions :
« Two main goals are targeted in the present study: (1) to assess, with a longitudinal design comprising various indicators of parental adaptation, the effects of the intervention program on the adaptation of parents of children with DS [Down’s syndrome] or CLP [cleft-lip and/or palate]; and (2) to assess the variations in the effects of the program on parents’ adaptation according to the time of measurement and two potential factors of the intervention’s effectiveness, the type of disability in the child and parent’s gender. » (p. 467)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
- 74 familles (148 mères-pères);
- « Two groups of parents participated in the study: (1) an experimental group (EXP), constituted of parents of children with DS (E-DS) [31 children] and parents of children with CLP (E-CLP) [43 children] who have participated in the intervention program; and (2) a control group (CO) constituted of parents of children with the same disabilities (C-DS, C-CLP) who have not participated to the program but who have received the usual services. [...] Participants were recruited [...] in 14 hospitals in the Montreal and Quebec metropolitan areas. » (p. 467)

Instruments :
- « Three dimensions of parental adaptation were assessed: parental stress, emotional distress and spousal support » (p. 469);
- Stress Appraisal Measure (SAM; Peacock and Wong, 1990);
- Parenting Stress Index (PSI; Abidin, 1990; en français par Lacharité, 1992);
- Emotional Distress Index of the Quebec Health and Social Survey (Préville et al., 1992);
- Échelle de Smolla (1988).

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

« This study assesses the longitudinal effects of an original early intervention program on the adaptation of parents of children with a disability (Down syndrome [DS] and cleft lip/palate [CLP]). Variations in the effects of the program according to the time of measurement, the type of disability and parent’s gender are also examined. 74 17-52 year old mothers and fathers of children with DS or CLP who did or did not participate in the program were assessed. A series of analyses was conducted to compare the experimental and control groups on family and demographic variables and treatment. Results show a better adaptation among parents who participated in the intervention program. These parents had lower levels of parental stress, more positive perceptions and attitudes concerning their child’s disability and their parental situation, they were more confident in their own resources and the help they could receive from others, they had lower levels of emotional distress, anxiety and depression and they perceived more emotional support from their spouse. These gains were maintained throughout the year when the children were between 6-18 months of age, they were relatively similar for parents of children with DS and parents of children with CLP, as well as for mothers and fathers. » (medline)