Support, Communication, and Hardiness in Families With Children With Disabilities

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine how support and communication are related to hardiness in families who have young children with disabilities. A sample of 108 parents (54 couples) of preschool-age children with disabilities completed the measures. Among demographic variables, family income was positively correlated with family hardiness. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed perceived family support as a predictor of family hardiness for both parents. Incendiary communication was negatively related to family hardiness for mothers, whereas income was positively associated with fathers’ assessments of hardiness. Results provide family nurses with a foundation for exploring constructs important to help families with children with disabilities.