Stress, Coping and Family Functioning in Parents of Children with Specific Learning Disability and Borderline Intellectual Functioning: A Comparative Study
Keywords:
Specific learning Disability, Parenting Stress, Copping, family functioning, stress, borderline intellectual functioningAbstract
Background: Specific Learning Disability (SLD) and Borderline Intellectual Functioning (BIF) are disorders of neuro-developmental arrest and dysfunctions. Due to the interaction between heredity and environment that affects the brain’s ability to accurately perceive verbal and non-verbal information, both conditions impose significant challenges on parents in the form of increased stress to care, family functioning, and coping.
Aim: The aim of the present study was to explore and compare stress, coping, and family functioning between parents of children with SLD and BIF.
Methods: A total of 80 parents, 40 of whom had children (8-16 years) diagnosed with a specific learning disability and 40 of whom had children with borderline intellectual functioning of similar age, were recruited for the study. The Perceived Stress Scale, COPE Inventory, and Family Functioning tools were administered to parents.
Result: The results of the study have found significant differences between the groups in terms of mental disengagement (p<0.01), denial (p<0.01), intimacy (family functioning) (p<0.05), and parenting style (family functioning) (p<0.01). There were no significant differences found in the levels of perceived stress between parents of children with SLD and BIF.
Conclusion: Parents of children with BIF use mental disengagement coping style, while parents of children with SLD use a denial coping style to deal with stress. Parents of children with SLD showed intimacy, closeness, expressiveness, and openness in communication. Their parenting style was inclusive, involving other members to voice their preferences and opinion in the decision-making process. Despite the difference in family functioning and coping styles, they have perceived similar levels of stress.
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