The purpose of this study was to analyse coping and family stress in families with a handicapped child.
By birth of a handicapped child, the family will face a high level stress situation. The stressor event is unanticipated situational family experi...
The purpose of this study was to analyse coping and family stress in families with a handicapped child.
By birth of a handicapped child, the family will face a high level stress situation. The stressor event is unanticipated situational family experience that place the family in a state instability and call for some creative effort to cope with the situation. Functional coping is clear identification and acceptance of the stressor and recognition of accumulating stressor. Viewing the situation as a family problem that everyone must adjust to-as a family centered problem-contributes to functional coping of family stress.
Family resorces, such as open communication and family cohesion is useful in coping with family stress. Social support provides information for family problem solving and social contacts for assistance on an interpersonal levl. They serve as a protector against the effects of stressors and promote recovery from family stress.