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ERIC Number: ED533810
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2011
Pages: 117
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: ISBN-978-1-1249-4411-1
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Parental Stress, Socioeconomic Status, Satisfaction with Services, and Family Quality of Life among Parents of Children Receiving Special Education Services
Lundy, Heather F.
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, Georgia State University
Family quality of life (FQOL) refers to the degree to which families of individuals with disabilities are able to meet their basic needs, enjoy time together, and pursue leisure interests and activities (Park et al., 2003). Researchers have identified barriers that families of individuals with disabilities encounter as they pursue a life of quality including elevated parental stress (Hauser-Cram, Warfield, Shonkoff, & Kraus, 2001), low socioeconomic status (SES) (Park, Turnbull, & Turnbull, 2002) and inadequate social service support (Soresi, Nota, & Ferrari, 2007). This study utilized data collected from a sample of parents (N = 389) of children receiving special education services from preschool through fifth grade to determine parental stress levels, satisfaction with social service supports and FQOL. Instruments included a demographic questionnaire, Parental Stress Scale (PSS; Berry & Jones, 1995), Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8 (CSQ-8; Larsen, Attkisson, Hargreaves, & Nguyen, 1979) and Family Quality of Life Survey (FQOLS; Turnbull et al., 2004). A MANCOVA analysis failed to reflect significant differences between parental stress levels and FQOL based on child disability type. Point biserial correlations did not reveal significant relationships between children's free or reduced lunch (FRL) status, parental stress, satisfaction with social services, and FQOL. Initial linear regression analysis indicated that parental stress was a significant predictor of FQOL (p less than 0.001) while satisfaction with social services approached significance (p = 0.057). However, a subsequent linear regression analysis that included the interaction between satisfaction with social services and parental stress failed to support a moderation effect between satisfaction with social services and parental stress in the prediction of FQOL (p = 0.142). The examination of parental stress and FQOL within a school-based setting was a unique contribution to the literature that focuses primarily on FQOL and families of children with disabilities within clinical, medical and mental health settings. Limitations of this study, future research directions, and implications for school-based mental health providers are presented. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A