The differential effects of age, sex and sibling order of mentally retarded offspring on their parents

Thirty-one parents of trainable mentally retarded males and females ranging in age from 3 to 21 were used as the sample. Two instruments, the <u>Family Adaptation and Cohesion Evaluation Scale</u>, and the <u>Family Satisfaction Scale<</u> were used to collect data. Responses were compiled and differences in mother-father responses were statistically analyzed, together with effects of age, sibling order and sex of the child. No statistically significant differences were found between parents of male mentally retarded children and parents of female mentally retarded children on FACES II or FSS; nor were statistically significant differences found between parents of eldest siblings and those mentally retarded children born in other sibling positions on FACES II. However, mothers scored significantly higher on family adaptation and cohesion, and fathers scored significantly higher on family satisfaction. Parents of eldest female mentally retarded offspring scored significantly higher on family satisfaction than those parents with mentally retarded daughters of other sibling positions. Information gathered from parents regarding their needs for community services and education centered on the family.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Family and Child Development

Department dc:contributor.department

Family and Child Development

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Year dc:date.issued

1985

Author dc:creator

• Lopez, Maria Elaine

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/50054

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/50054