ERIC Number: EJ1187891
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1469-9532
EISSN: N/A
The Presence of Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) in Mothers Whose Children Are Born Unexpectedly with Down Syndrome
Counselman-Carpenter, Elisabeth A.
Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, v42 n4 p351-363 2017
Background: Mothering children born unexpectedly with developmental disability has historically been shown to have a profound negative impact on maternal functioning. However, this study, which was designed to capture the lived experience of mothers whose children were diagnosed postnatally with Down syndrome, demonstrated the universal presence of factors of posttraumatic growth for all participants. Method: Mothers participated in 1 in-depth semistructured interview (N = 18). Feminist theory and thematic narrative analysis framed the data analysis. Results: Participants in this study universally reported 3 positive outcomes: development of formal/informal advocacy roles, improved mothering skills, and positive personal growth demonstrating the presence of all 5 domains of Calhoun and Tedeschi's posttraumatic growth model. Conclusions: This study highlights the potential for positive personal maternal growth for mothers unexpectedly raising children with Down syndrome, which can lead to individual personal and spiritual development, which in turn can have a powerful positive impact on the community as a whole.
Descriptors: Mothers, Down Syndrome, Trauma, Parent Attitudes, Parent Role, Parenting Skills, Advocacy, Child Rearing, Individual Development, Coping
Taylor & Francis. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: New York
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A