Purpose: The purpose of this study were to examine the degree of dysfunctional attitude, stress, coping, and depression and identify the significant predictors of depression for mothers of children with disabilities. Method: The subjects consisted of ...
Purpose: The purpose of this study were to examine the degree of dysfunctional attitude, stress, coping, and depression and identify the significant predictors of depression for mothers of children with disabilities. Method: The subjects consisted of 202 mothers of children with disabilities who belong to the special schools for disabilities in Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi, Busan, and Daegu. The data collection was done during two months, from August 1st to September 30th, 2005. Data were collected through self-report questionnaires which were constructed to include DAS, QRS-F, CHIP, and BDI. The data were analyzed by SPSS/WIN program with t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and Stepwise multiple regression. Result: Mothers of children with disabilities reported moderate levels of depression, with high levels of dysfunctional attitude, high levels stress, and low levels of coping. Depression positively related to dysfunctional attitude and stress, while depression negatively related to coping. Dysfunctional attitude negatively related to coping. The significant predictors of depression for mothers of children with disabilities were dysfunctional attitude, health status, stress, monthly income, and support of spouse, explaining 35.9% of the variance in depression. Conclusion: The integrated stress management program which reduces dysfunctional attitude and stress, simultaneously which improves health status and support of spouse, must be developed and it needs to be applied to the education of mothers of children with disabilities.