Research article summary (published 30 Aug 2009):

Down or up? Explaining positive and negative emotions in parents of children with Down's syndrome: Goals, cognitive coping, and resources.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND: Some studies find that parents of children with Down's syndrome may experience symptoms of depression, while other studies find that parents adapt well. This study aimed to clarify this variability in adaptive strength by investigating a stress-coping model to explain depressive symptoms and positive affect. METHOD: Questionnaires were completed by 553 parents of children (aged 0-18) with Down's syndrome, containing measures of goal disturbance, cognitive coping, social support, partner bonding, and coping self-efficacy. RESULTS: Different models for positive affect and depressive symptoms were found. The coping strategies of self-blame and rumination were positively related to depressive symptoms, and positive reappraisal was positively related to positive affect. Partner bonding characteristics played relevant roles in both models, as did coping self-efficacy and goal disturbance. Social support seemed mainly relevant in explaining positive affect. CONCLUSIONS: Different psychological factors were related to depressive symptoms and positive affect in parents of children with Down's syndrome. Implications are discussed.

Author information

Author/s: Van Der Veek, Shelley M C (SM); Kraaij, Vivian (V); Garnefski, Nadia (N);

Affiliation: Department of Clinical, Health and Neuropsychology, Leiden University, The Netherlands. s.m.vanderveek(-atsign-)amc.uva.nl

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Journal of intellectual & developmental disability (J Intellect Dev Disabil), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 34 (issue 3) : pp 216-29

Dates: Created 2009/08/14; Completed 2009/10/26;

PMID: 19681002, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/26/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adaptation, Psychological Adult Child Child, Preschool Cognition Depression - epidemiology Down Syndrome Emotions Female Goals Health Resources Humans Incidence

Incidence Infant Infant, Newborn Male Middle Aged Models, Psychological Object Attachment Parents - psychology Quality of Life Questionnaires Social Support Spouses - psychology Stress, Psychological - psychology

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