Stress and Adaptation in Families of Children with Visual Disabilities

Abstract

Little research is available on families of children with visual impairments. The authors examined stress and coping in a sample of 130 families (experimental group) of visually impaired children who responded to a parent questionnaire and the Family Environment Scale (FES). A control group of 78 parents responded to FES only. Findings revealed that the experimental group experienced various stressors such as future concerns, financial concerns, concerns about services, and concerns about the social acceptance of the child. These families were less involved in intellectual and cultural activities and used less structure and organization than did the controls. In coping, many families used various formal and informal sources of support as well as personal coping strategies. Implications for practitioners and social service providers are discussed.