Mothers and Fathers of Adults with Chronic Disabilities

Abstract

The stressors, resources, caregiving appraisals, and mental health of aging women and men who have a child with a chronic disability were contrasted. Data from 251 women and their husbands indicated that while mean level differences characterize the reports of mothers and fathers, predictors of caregiving satisfaction, caregiving burden, depression, and life satisfaction were relatively similar. With similar mechanisms linking stressors, resources, appraisals, and outcomes for mothers and fathers, these data provide strong evidence for the application of a common model for understanding the experiences of aging men and women who have a child with a chronic disability.