Mothers of Children with Developmental Disabilities: Who Shares the Burden?

Abstract

This study examines the informal social support systems of 89 mothers of children with severe developmental disabilities. Instrumental, informational, and emotional support is described and compared to mothers' perceived level of support. The results indicate that mothers take on most of the day-to-day responsibility for the care of their children with handicaps, but the assistance they do receive is important to them. Analysis by marital status shows few differences in the help received; however, married women perceived greater support from their husband and his family than single mothers did from the child's father and his family. The convergence of family policy and demographic trends is noted and the implications for mothers and families discussed.