Guest guest Posted November 23, 2008 Report Share Posted November 23, 2008 Ellen, somehow, my experience has not led me to the same conclusions. What do you think? What do you think??? Just curious what you think about this... Ellen Time heals For parents with disabled children, age improves well-being, finds SSA researcher Jung-Hwa Ha. By Lydialyle Gibson ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Raising a mentally ill or developmentally disabled child can take a tremendous physical and emotional toll. Parents find themselves thrice burdened: by therapy and medical bills that insurance won't always pay; by the day-to-day effort to care for their children and control their behavior; and by the grief and stress of dealing with social stigma, knowing their children may not reach the usual adult milestones, and worrying about their future care after their parents' deaths. But it does get easier, says Jung-Hwa Ha, an assistant professor in the School of Social Service Administration who coauthored a study this fall on well-being among disabled children's parents. With age, she found, comes equanimity. SSA researcher Jung-Hwa Ha Published in the September Journal of Health and Social Behavior, Ha's research analyzed data from the Study on Midlife in the United States (MIDUS). In 1994 and 1995 researchers sponsored by the MacArthur Foundation surveyed more than 7,000 Americans ages 25 to 74, looking at age-related differences in mental and physical health. A decade later, the National Institute on Aging funded MIDUS II, a follow-up survey using many of the same respondents. Among the screening questions it asked were some about rearing a child with problems such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder. Ha, who earned a sociology and social-work PhD from the University of Michigan studying late-life widowhood, examined the MIDUS II data to see how stress from the disorders manifested itself in parents' lives. She compared 1,393 parents who did not have disabled children with 163 parents whose children had developmental disabilities and 133 parents whose children had mental-health problems. What Ha and her team found was that among parents whose children had either category of disability, " negative affect " was higher than for the parents of normative children: they more often reported feeling nervous, restless, hopeless, worthless, or " so sad nothing could cheer you up. " They also registered more headaches, backaches, joint stiffness, and difficulty sleeping. The psychological well-being of parents with developmentally disabled children also suffered, but for parents of children with mental illness, Ha says, psychological health didn't differ significantly from those who had normative children. Conversely, the parents of mentally ill children were less likely to be married, while marriage rates for developmentally disabled children's parents weren't much different than for normative children's parents. Most important, though, was Ha's finding on " the moderating effects of age. " As MIDUS II respondents grew older, the well-being gap between normative children's parents and disabled children's parents narrowed. Among those in their late 60s, there was almost no difference at all. " Over time, " Ha says, " parents adjust to the stress of their child's disability as they develop skills to better respond to their family circumstances. " By coincidence, MIDUS II parents of developmentally disabled children tended to be several years younger than normative children's parents, and they diverged more from the comparison group in negative affect and psychological well-being, a finding Ha calls consistent with the idea that advancing age improves well-being. Ha's study was the first to use a nationally representative sample and a comparison group to examine the effects on parental welfare of raising children with developmental or mental problems. The next step, she says, will be longitudinal studies to examine factors such as how " socioeconomic status, race, health characteristics, social support, and community resources influence the extent to which caring for disabled children affects parents' physical and mental health. " The parents in Ha's study did not differ by race, education, or socioeconomic status. Ha also compared the relative well-being of disabled children's mothers and fathers and found no significant difference. Although the responsibility of care falls mostly to mothers, they're also more likely to have support networks and to find satisfaction and joy in their parenting role. Return to top WRITE THE EDITOR ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------- EMAIL THIS ARTICLE ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------- SHARE THIS ARTICLE ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------- EDITOR'S PICKS Behavioral Economics Guru Thaler Brr...It's Time to Knit a U of C Scarf Nate Silver, AB'00, Crunches Numbers on Baseball and Obama Neil Shubin's Tetrapod Adventures; Fish out of Water How To Catch a Higgs © 2008 The University of Chicago® Magazine | 401 North Michigan Ave. Suite 1000, Chicago, IL 60611 phone: 773/702-2163 | fax: 773/702-8836 | uchicago- magazine@... 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Guest guest Posted November 23, 2008 Report Share Posted November 23, 2008 It seems wrong to me, unless he factored in all the non-custodial divorced parents. Jean On Sun, Nov 23, 2008 at 4:16 PM, Richter <ginar_30@...>wrote: > Ellen, somehow, my experience has not led me to the same conclusions. > What do you think? > What do you think??? > > Just curious what you think about this... > Ellen > > Time heals > For parents with disabled children, age improves well-being, finds > SSA researcher Jung-Hwa Ha. > > By Lydialyle Gibson > > ---------------------------------------------------------- > ---------- > > Raising a mentally ill or developmentally disabled child can take a > tremendous physical and emotional toll. Parents find themselves > thrice burdened: by therapy and medical bills that insurance won't > always pay; by the day-to-day effort to care for their children and > control their behavior; and by the grief and stress of dealing with > social stigma, knowing their children may not reach the usual adult > milestones, and worrying about their future care after their parents' > deaths. But it does get easier, says Jung-Hwa Ha, an assistant > professor in the School of Social Service Administration who > coauthored a study this fall on well-being among disabled children's > parents. With age, she found, comes equanimity. > > SSA researcher Jung-Hwa Ha Published in the September Journal of > Health and Social Behavior, Ha's research analyzed data from the > Study on Midlife in the United States (MIDUS). In 1994 and 1995 > researchers sponsored by the MacArthur Foundation surveyed more than > 7,000 Americans ages 25 to 74, looking at age-related differences in > mental and physical health. A decade later, the National Institute on > Aging funded MIDUS II, a follow-up survey using many of the same > respondents. Among the screening questions it asked were some about > rearing a child with problems such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, > learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, > depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder. Ha, who earned a > sociology and social-work PhD from the University of Michigan > studying late-life widowhood, examined the MIDUS II data to see how > stress from the disorders manifested itself in parents' lives. She > compared 1,393 parents who did not have disabled children with 163 > parents whose children had developmental disabilities and 133 parents > whose children had mental-health problems. > > What Ha and her team found was that among parents whose children had > either category of disability, " negative affect " was higher than for > the parents of normative children: they more often reported feeling > nervous, restless, hopeless, worthless, or " so sad nothing could > cheer you up. " They also registered more headaches, backaches, joint > stiffness, and difficulty sleeping. The psychological well-being of > parents with developmentally disabled children also suffered, but for > parents of children with mental illness, Ha says, psychological > health didn't differ significantly from those who had normative > children. Conversely, the parents of mentally ill children were less > likely to be married, while marriage rates for developmentally > disabled children's parents weren't much different than for normative > children's parents. > > Most important, though, was Ha's finding on " the moderating effects > of age. " As MIDUS II respondents grew older, the well-being gap > between normative children's parents and disabled children's parents > narrowed. Among those in their late 60s, there was almost no > difference at all. " Over time, " Ha says, " parents adjust to the > stress of their child's disability as they develop skills to better > respond to their family circumstances. " > > By coincidence, MIDUS II parents of developmentally disabled children > tended to be several years younger than normative children's parents, > and they diverged more from the comparison group in negative affect > and psychological well-being, a finding Ha calls consistent with the > idea that advancing age improves well-being. > > Ha's study was the first to use a nationally representative sample > and a comparison group to examine the effects on parental welfare of > raising children with developmental or mental problems. The next > step, she says, will be longitudinal studies to examine factors such > as how " socioeconomic status, race, health characteristics, social > support, and community resources influence the extent to which caring > for disabled children affects parents' physical and mental health. " > The parents in Ha's study did not differ by race, education, or > socioeconomic status. > > Ha also compared the relative well-being of disabled children's > mothers and fathers and found no significant difference. Although the > responsibility of care falls mostly to mothers, they're also more > likely to have support networks and to find satisfaction and joy in > their parenting role. > > Return to top WRITE THE EDITOR > > ---------------------------------------------------------- > ---------- > > EMAIL THIS ARTICLE > > ---------------------------------------------------------- > ---------- > > SHARE THIS ARTICLE > > ---------------------------------------------------------- > ---------- > > EDITOR'S PICKS > Behavioral Economics Guru Thaler > Brr...It's Time to Knit a U of C Scarf > Nate Silver, AB'00, Crunches Numbers on Baseball and Obama > Neil Shubin's Tetrapod Adventures; Fish out of Water > How To Catch a Higgs > > © 2008 The University of Chicago® Magazine | 401 North Michigan Ave. > Suite 1000, Chicago, IL 60611 > phone: 773/702-2163 | fax: 773/702-8836 | uchicago- > magazine@... <magazine%40uchicago.edu> > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 23, 2008 Report Share Posted November 23, 2008 That is both funny and sad, Jean... Ellen Ellen Garber Bronfeld egskb@... What do you think??? > > Just curious what you think about this... > Ellen > > Time heals > For parents with disabled children, age improves well-being, finds > SSA researcher Jung-Hwa Ha. > > By Lydialyle Gibson > > ---------------------------------------------------------- > ---------- > > Raising a mentally ill or developmentally disabled child can take a > tremendous physical and emotional toll. Parents find themselves > thrice burdened: by therapy and medical bills that insurance won't > always pay; by the day-to-day effort to care for their children and > control their behavior; and by the grief and stress of dealing with > social stigma, knowing their children may not reach the usual adult > milestones, and worrying about their future care after their parents' > deaths. But it does get easier, says Jung-Hwa Ha, an assistant > professor in the School of Social Service Administration who > coauthored a study this fall on well-being among disabled children's > parents. With age, she found, comes equanimity. > > SSA researcher Jung-Hwa Ha Published in the September Journal of > Health and Social Behavior, Ha's research analyzed data from the > Study on Midlife in the United States (MIDUS). In 1994 and 1995 > researchers sponsored by the MacArthur Foundation surveyed more than > 7,000 Americans ages 25 to 74, looking at age-related differences in > mental and physical health. A decade later, the National Institute on > Aging funded MIDUS II, a follow-up survey using many of the same > respondents. Among the screening questions it asked were some about > rearing a child with problems such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, > learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, > depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder. Ha, who earned a > sociology and social-work PhD from the University of Michigan > studying late-life widowhood, examined the MIDUS II data to see how > stress from the disorders manifested itself in parents' lives. She > compared 1,393 parents who did not have disabled children with 163 > parents whose children had developmental disabilities and 133 parents > whose children had mental-health problems. > > What Ha and her team found was that among parents whose children had > either category of disability, " negative affect " was higher than for > the parents of normative children: they more often reported feeling > nervous, restless, hopeless, worthless, or " so sad nothing could > cheer you up. " They also registered more headaches, backaches, joint > stiffness, and difficulty sleeping. The psychological well-being of > parents with developmentally disabled children also suffered, but for > parents of children with mental illness, Ha says, psychological > health didn't differ significantly from those who had normative > children. Conversely, the parents of mentally ill children were less > likely to be married, while marriage rates for developmentally > disabled children's parents weren't much different than for normative > children's parents. > > Most important, though, was Ha's finding on " the moderating effects > of age. " As MIDUS II respondents grew older, the well-being gap > between normative children's parents and disabled children's parents > narrowed. Among those in their late 60s, there was almost no > difference at all. " Over time, " Ha says, " parents adjust to the > stress of their child's disability as they develop skills to better > respond to their family circumstances. " > > By coincidence, MIDUS II parents of developmentally disabled children > tended to be several years younger than normative children's parents, > and they diverged more from the comparison group in negative affect > and psychological well-being, a finding Ha calls consistent with the > idea that advancing age improves well-being. > > Ha's study was the first to use a nationally representative sample > and a comparison group to examine the effects on parental welfare of > raising children with developmental or mental problems. The next > step, she says, will be longitudinal studies to examine factors such > as how " socioeconomic status, race, health characteristics, social > support, and community resources influence the extent to which caring > for disabled children affects parents' physical and mental health. " > The parents in Ha's study did not differ by race, education, or > socioeconomic status. > > Ha also compared the relative well-being of disabled children's > mothers and fathers and found no significant difference. Although the > responsibility of care falls mostly to mothers, they're also more > likely to have support networks and to find satisfaction and joy in > their parenting role. > > Return to top WRITE THE EDITOR > > ---------------------------------------------------------- > ---------- > > EMAIL THIS ARTICLE > > ---------------------------------------------------------- > ---------- > > SHARE THIS ARTICLE > > ---------------------------------------------------------- > ---------- > > EDITOR'S PICKS > Behavioral Economics Guru Thaler > Brr...It's Time to Knit a U of C Scarf > Nate Silver, AB'00, Crunches Numbers on Baseball and Obama > Neil Shubin's Tetrapod Adventures; Fish out of Water > How To Catch a Higgs > > © 2008 The University of Chicago® Magazine | 401 North Michigan Ave. > Suite 1000, Chicago, IL 60611 > phone: 773/702-2163 | fax: 773/702-8836 | uchicago- > magazine@... <magazine%40uchicago.edu> > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 23, 2008 Report Share Posted November 23, 2008 I agree with you . Even when Noah had some of his most severe behavioral challenges when he was younger, education was mandated and I knew for sure he would be somewhere else nine months a year, six hours a day, for 21 years! And the northern suburban special education is way better than many other school districts...there was lots of support and he had all kinds of therapies to fill his day. Now, there are no more mandated services and it is entirely up to us. The pay for community workers after the age of 21 is horrible so quality of any program, so dependent on staff, is not always good. We are older, with less energy, the possibility of illness due to old age is more likely and obviously we are going to die and not be available to advocate for our beloved children at some point. If that doesn't add up to MORE stress rather than less, for most people, I would be surprised. I cannot imagine where this person got her data...it sure wasn't from me! Ellen Ellen Garber Bronfeld egskb@... What do you think??? Just curious what you think about this... Ellen Time heals For parents with disabled children, age improves well-being, finds SSA researcher Jung-Hwa Ha. By Lydialyle Gibson ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Raising a mentally ill or developmentally disabled child can take a tremendous physical and emotional toll. Parents find themselves thrice burdened: by therapy and medical bills that insurance won't always pay; by the day-to-day effort to care for their children and control their behavior; and by the grief and stress of dealing with social stigma, knowing their children may not reach the usual adult milestones, and worrying about their future care after their parents' deaths. But it does get easier, says Jung-Hwa Ha, an assistant professor in the School of Social Service Administration who coauthored a study this fall on well-being among disabled children's parents. With age, she found, comes equanimity. SSA researcher Jung-Hwa Ha Published in the September Journal of Health and Social Behavior, Ha's research analyzed data from the Study on Midlife in the United States (MIDUS). In 1994 and 1995 researchers sponsored by the MacArthur Foundation surveyed more than 7,000 Americans ages 25 to 74, looking at age-related differences in mental and physical health. A decade later, the National Institute on Aging funded MIDUS II, a follow-up survey using many of the same respondents. Among the screening questions it asked were some about rearing a child with problems such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder. Ha, who earned a sociology and social-work PhD from the University of Michigan studying late-life widowhood, examined the MIDUS II data to see how stress from the disorders manifested itself in parents' lives. She compared 1,393 parents who did not have disabled children with 163 parents whose children had developmental disabilities and 133 parents whose children had mental-health problems. What Ha and her team found was that among parents whose children had either category of disability, " negative affect " was higher than for the parents of normative children: they more often reported feeling nervous, restless, hopeless, worthless, or " so sad nothing could cheer you up. " They also registered more headaches, backaches, joint stiffness, and difficulty sleeping. The psychological well-being of parents with developmentally disabled children also suffered, but for parents of children with mental illness, Ha says, psychological health didn't differ significantly from those who had normative children. Conversely, the parents of mentally ill children were less likely to be married, while marriage rates for developmentally disabled children's parents weren't much different than for normative children's parents. Most important, though, was Ha's finding on " the moderating effects of age. " As MIDUS II respondents grew older, the well-being gap between normative children's parents and disabled children's parents narrowed. Among those in their late 60s, there was almost no difference at all. " Over time, " Ha says, " parents adjust to the stress of their child's disability as they develop skills to better respond to their family circumstances. " By coincidence, MIDUS II parents of developmentally disabled children tended to be several years younger than normative children's parents, and they diverged more from the comparison group in negative affect and psychological well-being, a finding Ha calls consistent with the idea that advancing age improves well-being. Ha's study was the first to use a nationally representative sample and a comparison group to examine the effects on parental welfare of raising children with developmental or mental problems. The next step, she says, will be longitudinal studies to examine factors such as how " socioeconomic status, race, health characteristics, social support, and community resources influence the extent to which caring for disabled children affects parents' physical and mental health. " The parents in Ha's study did not differ by race, education, or socioeconomic status. Ha also compared the relative well-being of disabled children's mothers and fathers and found no significant difference. Although the responsibility of care falls mostly to mothers, they're also more likely to have support networks and to find satisfaction and joy in their parenting role. Return to top WRITE THE EDITOR ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------- EMAIL THIS ARTICLE ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------- SHARE THIS ARTICLE ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------- EDITOR'S PICKS Behavioral Economics Guru Thaler Brr...It's Time to Knit a U of C Scarf Nate Silver, AB'00, Crunches Numbers on Baseball and Obama Neil Shubin's Tetrapod Adventures; Fish out of Water How To Catch a Higgs © 2008 The University of Chicago® Magazine | 401 North Michigan Ave. Suite 1000, Chicago, IL 60611 phone: 773/702-2163 | fax: 773/702-8836 | uchicago- magazine@... 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Guest guest Posted November 23, 2008 Report Share Posted November 23, 2008 I think ...not really sure things get better because we know the improvement is as slow as a glacier. When Adam was awarded HBS,, I rested a bit easier for about a week or so. We are all moving like perpetual motion. Soon we will get tired and I think what this study reallly is seeing is by the time we get to late 60s, 70s we are pooped and surrender to what it is. It is mental protection as well. I cannot imagine going this hard when I am 15-20 years older. I came to somewhat of an epiphany....Art and I will do the best we can to see Adam having quality of life now...work, recreates, volunteer all big time community. And I cannot run his life from the grave. I know you are all smarter then me, it took me a while to get to this. I always thought once Art and I die, his circle will continue to spin his great life. If it happen s great. But I can see after a while not having the emotional capacity to hang onto that. cindi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 23, 2008 Report Share Posted November 23, 2008 That money is being spent on research like this is just annoying! In addition to the other good questions already raised, what about as a factor does the adult child LIVE WITH the 60+ parent or have they moved out into another residential situation? I imagine that alone could skew the results. Arrrrgggghhhh. Thanksgiving is still four days away, I need to get back into the 'count your blessings' zone...and Ellen, this article isn't helping!!!!! L. Re: What do you think??? I think ...not really sure things get better because we know the improvement is as slow as a glacier. When Adam was awarded HBS,, I rested a bit easier for about a week or so. We are all moving like perpetual motion. Soon we will get tired and I think what this study reallly is seeing is by the time we get to late 60s, 70s we are pooped and surrender to what it is. It is mental protection as well. I cannot imagine going this hard when I am 15-20 years older. I came to somewhat of an epiphany....Art and I will do the best we can to see Adam having quality of life now...work, recreates, volunteer all big time community. And I cannot run his life from the grave. I know you are all smarter then me, it took me a while to get to this. I always thought once Art and I die, his circle will continue to spin his great life. If it happen s great. But I can see after a while not having the emotional capacity to hang onto that. cindi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 23, 2008 Report Share Posted November 23, 2008 Cindi...it sounds so defeated and bleak, but SO realistic! Ellen Ellen Garber Bronfeld egskb@... Re: What do you think??? I think ...not really sure things get better because we know the improvement is as slow as a glacier. When Adam was awarded HBS,, I rested a bit easier for about a week or so. We are all moving like perpetual motion. Soon we will get tired and I think what this study reallly is seeing is by the time we get to late 60s, 70s we are pooped and surrender to what it is. It is mental protection as well. I cannot imagine going this hard when I am 15-20 years older. I came to somewhat of an epiphany....Art and I will do the best we can to see Adam having quality of life now...work, recreates, volunteer all big time community. And I cannot run his life from the grave. I know you are all smarter then me, it took me a while to get to this. I always thought once Art and I die, his circle will continue to spin his great life. If it happen s great. But I can see after a while not having the emotional capacity to hang onto that. cindi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 23, 2008 Report Share Posted November 23, 2008 Ok, Laurie...I will be on the look out for really POSITIVE vibes for the next week...I promise I am grateful I am able to communicate with all of you and share the good and the not so good! Ellen Ellen Garber Bronfeld egskb@... Re: What do you think??? I think ...not really sure things get better because we know the improvement is as slow as a glacier. When Adam was awarded HBS,, I rested a bit easier for about a week or so. We are all moving like perpetual motion. Soon we will get tired and I think what this study reallly is seeing is by the time we get to late 60s, 70s we are pooped and surrender to what it is. It is mental protection as well. I cannot imagine going this hard when I am 15-20 years older. I came to somewhat of an epiphany....Art and I will do the best we can to see Adam having quality of life now...work, recreates, volunteer all big time community. And I cannot run his life from the grave. I know you are all smarter then me, it took me a while to get to this. I always thought once Art and I die, his circle will continue to spin his great life. If it happen s great. But I can see after a while not having the emotional capacity to hang onto that. cindi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 23, 2008 Report Share Posted November 23, 2008 Have had one HECK of a weekend, not because of AT ALL but because of my Mom and her nutty relatives. I read the thread here, after reading the article, and have to tell you not only do we get older and our kids get older and all the stuff y'all mention but OUR PARENTS get older. As has been pointed out here before, we are the sandwich generation and guess who gets to deal with all of it? The first two guesses don't count LOL! Seriously, who was interviewed? I will agree with Laurie here and say we need some thankful thoughts, positive vibes and good feelings for this week. I'll start: I am very thankful my Mom's cousins live two states away, otherwise I would have throttled them when they questioned her cancer treatment plan. Can you see how my weekend went? Am so glad we are here together. Let's count our blessings....... Marie > > Ok, Laurie...I will be on the look out for really POSITIVE vibes for the next week...I promise > I am grateful I am able to communicate with all of you and share the good and the not so good! > Ellen > Ellen Garber Bronfeld > egskb@... > Re: What do you think??? > > I think ...not really sure things get better because we know the improvement > is as slow as a glacier. When Adam was awarded HBS,, I rested a bit easier > for about a week or so. We are all moving like perpetual motion. Soon we > will get tired and I think what this study reallly is seeing is by the time > we get to late 60s, 70s we are pooped and surrender to what it is. It is > mental protection as well. I cannot imagine going this hard when I am 15-20 > years older. > I came to somewhat of an epiphany....Art and I will do the best we can to > see Adam having quality of life now...work, recreates, volunteer all big > time community. And I cannot run his life from the grave. I know you are > all smarter then me, it took me a while to get to this. I always thought > once Art and I die, his circle will continue to spin his great life. If it > happen s great. But I can see after a while not having the emotional > capacity to hang onto that. cindi > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 23, 2008 Report Share Posted November 23, 2008 Off to bed, Marie, but I got such a kick out of your thankfulness...that put a smile on my tired face Ellen Ellen Garber Bronfeld egskb@... Re: What do you think??? > > I think ...not really sure things get better because we know the improvement > is as slow as a glacier. When Adam was awarded HBS,, I rested a bit easier > for about a week or so. We are all moving like perpetual motion. Soon we > will get tired and I think what this study reallly is seeing is by the time > we get to late 60s, 70s we are pooped and surrender to what it is. It is > mental protection as well. I cannot imagine going this hard when I am 15-20 > years older. > I came to somewhat of an epiphany....Art and I will do the best we can to > see Adam having quality of life now...work, recreates, volunteer all big > time community. And I cannot run his life from the grave. I know you are > all smarter then me, it took me a while to get to this. I always thought > once Art and I die, his circle will continue to spin his great life. If it > happen s great. But I can see after a while not having the emotional > capacity to hang onto that. cindi > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 24, 2008 Report Share Posted November 24, 2008 Right...and wrong. I'd bet that if the research survey was put to me ten years ago, and again today, my answers would be different, and my current survey would be more positive. Why? Because some of my previous anxiety stemmed from *not knowing* what Neal's adult life would be like. A lot of what I worried about in his childhood did not come to pass. (And some of what I should've worried about then, I didn't even think of.) With adulthood comes some answers to the mysteries of childhood. You can see the extent of education (reading, basic math, writing). You can see whether or not the relatives have come to grips with your family situation.. You can see how the sibling issues play out. There are a few old issues, but there are mostly new issues to affect mental health I am less concerned about my son's ability to get and keep a job. I am more concerned about things outside my control, and his control: job hunting in a down economy, what job coaching will be like if the state goes bankrupt, available housing options for him, what housing options will be open if he earns a reasonable wage (will he be overqualified for DD housing), what kind of society he will be dealing with in the future. I'd like to see the questions for this survey. I bet we'd all come up with different ones than they did. I also think the remarks about parents of adults with mental illness were intriguing...including the comments about negative affect vs. psychological well-being. -Gail From: ellenbronfeld <egskb@...> Subject: What do you think??? IPADDUnite Date: Sunday, November 23, 2008, 3:56 PM Just curious what you think about this... Ellen Time heals For parents with disabled children, age improves well-being, finds SSA researcher Jung-Hwa Ha. By Lydialyle Gibson ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - ---------- Raising a mentally ill or developmentally disabled child can take a tremendous physical and emotional toll. Parents find themselves thrice burdened: by therapy and medical bills that insurance won't always pay; by the day-to-day effort to care for their children and control their behavior; and by the grief and stress of dealing with social stigma, knowing their children may not reach the usual adult milestones, and worrying about their future care after their parents' deaths. But it does get easier, says Jung-Hwa Ha, an assistant professor in the School of Social Service Administration who coauthored a study this fall on well-being among disabled children's parents. With age, she found, comes equanimity. SSA researcher Jung-Hwa Ha Published in the September Journal of Health and Social Behavior, Ha's research analyzed data from the Study on Midlife in the United States (MIDUS). In 1994 and 1995 researchers sponsored by the MacArthur Foundation surveyed more than 7,000 Americans ages 25 to 74, looking at age-related differences in mental and physical health. A decade later, the National Institute on Aging funded MIDUS II, a follow-up survey using many of the same respondents. Among the screening questions it asked were some about rearing a child with problems such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder. Ha, who earned a sociology and social-work PhD from the University of Michigan studying late-life widowhood, examined the MIDUS II data to see how stress from the disorders manifested itself in parents' lives. She compared 1,393 parents who did not have disabled children with 163 parents whose children had developmental disabilities and 133 parents whose children had mental-health problems. What Ha and her team found was that among parents whose children had either category of disability, " negative affect " was higher than for the parents of normative children: they more often reported feeling nervous, restless, hopeless, worthless, or " so sad nothing could cheer you up. " They also registered more headaches, backaches, joint stiffness, and difficulty sleeping. The psychological well-being of parents with developmentally disabled children also suffered, but for parents of children with mental illness, Ha says, psychological health didn't differ significantly from those who had normative children. Conversely, the parents of mentally ill children were less likely to be married, while marriage rates for developmentally disabled children's parents weren't much different than for normative children's parents. Most important, though, was Ha's finding on " the moderating effects of age. " As MIDUS II respondents grew older, the well-being gap between normative children's parents and disabled children's parents narrowed. Among those in their late 60s, there was almost no difference at all. " Over time, " Ha says, " parents adjust to the stress of their child's disability as they develop skills to better respond to their family circumstances. " By coincidence, MIDUS II parents of developmentally disabled children tended to be several years younger than normative children's parents, and they diverged more from the comparison group in negative affect and psychological well-being, a finding Ha calls consistent with the idea that advancing age improves well-being. Ha's study was the first to use a nationally representative sample and a comparison group to examine the effects on parental welfare of raising children with developmental or mental problems. The next step, she says, will be longitudinal studies to examine factors such as how " socioeconomic status, race, health characteristics, social support, and community resources influence the extent to which caring for disabled children affects parents' physical and mental health. " The parents in Ha's study did not differ by race, education, or socioeconomic status. Ha also compared the relative well-being of disabled children's mothers and fathers and found no significant difference. Although the responsibility of care falls mostly to mothers, they're also more likely to have support networks and to find satisfaction and joy in their parenting role. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 24, 2008 Report Share Posted November 24, 2008 When it comes to parents, I agree they become our children in some ways. I think it is okay to allow ourselves to feel the frustrations, sadness or anger if these are the emotions that pops up. We actually must feel it, and then hopefully work through it. Here is my advise for the feelings of frustration on parent problems, a little piece of advise from a friend of mine who's parents were both dead by the time she reached 21 years old. Her statement to others is- imagine the alternative, have no parents! Now, to those of us whose parents are suffering with Alzheimers, cancer and the like, sometimes their " time " is their rest, and ultimately ours too. But, this advise I give for those of us who have challenging family members a little, but more so parents, with needs, comments, or behaviors not related to illness etc. Diane S > > > > Ok, Laurie...I will be on the look out for really POSITIVE vibes > for the next week...I promise > > I am grateful I am able to communicate with all of you and share > the good and the not so good! > > Ellen > > Ellen Garber Bronfeld > > egskb@ > > Re: What do you think??? > > > > I think ...not really sure things get better because we know the > improvement > > is as slow as a glacier. When Adam was awarded HBS,, I rested a > bit easier > > for about a week or so. We are all moving like perpetual motion. > Soon we > > will get tired and I think what this study reallly is seeing is > by the time > > we get to late 60s, 70s we are pooped and surrender to what it > is. It is > > mental protection as well. I cannot imagine going this hard when > I am 15-20 > > years older. > > I came to somewhat of an epiphany....Art and I will do the best > we can to > > see Adam having quality of life now...work, recreates, volunteer > all big > > time community. And I cannot run his life from the grave. I know > you are > > all smarter then me, it took me a while to get to this. I always > thought > > once Art and I die, his circle will continue to spin his great > life. If it > > happen s great. But I can see after a while not having the > emotional > > capacity to hang onto that. cindi > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 24, 2008 Report Share Posted November 24, 2008 In rereading the article, I would agree with you, Gail...yet, overall, I do not feel more settled in my role nor do I think I have a greater sense of well-being...I still get migraines and I have many more aches and pains and I am working like a dog...probably harder than I have ever worked, even when I was in graduate school and holding down a job. Ellen Ellen Garber Bronfeld egskb@... What do you think??? IPADDUnite Date: Sunday, November 23, 2008, 3:56 PM Just curious what you think about this... Ellen Time heals For parents with disabled children, age improves well-being, finds SSA researcher Jung-Hwa Ha. By Lydialyle Gibson ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - ---------- Raising a mentally ill or developmentally disabled child can take a tremendous physical and emotional toll. Parents find themselves thrice burdened: by therapy and medical bills that insurance won't always pay; by the day-to-day effort to care for their children and control their behavior; and by the grief and stress of dealing with social stigma, knowing their children may not reach the usual adult milestones, and worrying about their future care after their parents' deaths. But it does get easier, says Jung-Hwa Ha, an assistant professor in the School of Social Service Administration who coauthored a study this fall on well-being among disabled children's parents. With age, she found, comes equanimity. SSA researcher Jung-Hwa Ha Published in the September Journal of Health and Social Behavior, Ha's research analyzed data from the Study on Midlife in the United States (MIDUS). In 1994 and 1995 researchers sponsored by the MacArthur Foundation surveyed more than 7,000 Americans ages 25 to 74, looking at age-related differences in mental and physical health. A decade later, the National Institute on Aging funded MIDUS II, a follow-up survey using many of the same respondents. Among the screening questions it asked were some about rearing a child with problems such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder. Ha, who earned a sociology and social-work PhD from the University of Michigan studying late-life widowhood, examined the MIDUS II data to see how stress from the disorders manifested itself in parents' lives. She compared 1,393 parents who did not have disabled children with 163 parents whose children had developmental disabilities and 133 parents whose children had mental-health problems. What Ha and her team found was that among parents whose children had either category of disability, " negative affect " was higher than for the parents of normative children: they more often reported feeling nervous, restless, hopeless, worthless, or " so sad nothing could cheer you up. " They also registered more headaches, backaches, joint stiffness, and difficulty sleeping. The psychological well-being of parents with developmentally disabled children also suffered, but for parents of children with mental illness, Ha says, psychological health didn't differ significantly from those who had normative children. Conversely, the parents of mentally ill children were less likely to be married, while marriage rates for developmentally disabled children's parents weren't much different than for normative children's parents. Most important, though, was Ha's finding on " the moderating effects of age. " As MIDUS II respondents grew older, the well-being gap between normative children's parents and disabled children's parents narrowed. Among those in their late 60s, there was almost no difference at all. " Over time, " Ha says, " parents adjust to the stress of their child's disability as they develop skills to better respond to their family circumstances. " By coincidence, MIDUS II parents of developmentally disabled children tended to be several years younger than normative children's parents, and they diverged more from the comparison group in negative affect and psychological well-being, a finding Ha calls consistent with the idea that advancing age improves well-being. Ha's study was the first to use a nationally representative sample and a comparison group to examine the effects on parental welfare of raising children with developmental or mental problems. The next step, she says, will be longitudinal studies to examine factors such as how " socioeconomic status, race, health characteristics, social support, and community resources influence the extent to which caring for disabled children affects parents' physical and mental health. " The parents in Ha's study did not differ by race, education, or socioeconomic status. Ha also compared the relative well-being of disabled children's mothers and fathers and found no significant difference. Although the responsibility of care falls mostly to mothers, they're also more likely to have support networks and to find satisfaction and joy in their parenting role. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 25, 2008 Report Share Posted November 25, 2008 I'm not sure how I feel about this probably because when was little I thought he'd be further advanced than he is at this point but I'm also very thankful knowing what others have had to go through that we've done pretty well!? I just don't have the energy I used to and dealing with my very ill mom and dad who is in denial I'm not sure how I actually do get through some days. That being said I have a lot of friends who are just as concerned about their kids futures and they're as NT as they come.? People I work with have had their kids and grandkids move back in with them, etc.? So I guess I can't complain too much. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! H. What do you think??? IPADDUnite Date: Sunday, November 23, 2008, 3:56 PM Just curious what you think about this... Ellen Time heals For parents with disabled children, age improves well-being, finds SSA researcher Jung-Hwa Ha. By Lydialyle Gibson ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - ---------- Raising a me ntally ill or developmentally disabled child can take a tremendous physical and emotional toll. Parents find themselves thrice burdened: by therapy and medical bills that insurance won't always pay; by the day-to-day effort to care for their children and control their behavior; and by the grief and stress of dealing with social stigma, knowing their children may not reach the usual adult milestones, and worrying about their future care after their parents' deaths. But it does get easier, says Jung-Hwa Ha, an assistant professor in the School of Social Service Administration who coauthored a study this fall on well-being among disabled children's parents. With age, she found, comes equanimity. SSA researcher Jung-Hwa Ha Published in the September Journal of Health and Social Behavior, Ha's research analyzed data from the Study on Midlife in the United States (MIDUS). In 1994 and 1995 researchers sponsored by the MacArthur Foundation surveyed more than 7,000 Americans ages 25 to 74, looking at age-related differences in mental and physical health. A decade later, the National Institute on Aging funded MIDUS II, a follow-up survey using many of the same respondents. Among the screening questions it asked were some about rearing a child with problems such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder. Ha, who earned a sociology and social-work PhD from the University of Michigan studying late-life widowhood, examined the MIDUS II data to see how stress from the disorders manifested itself in parents' lives. She compared 1,393 parents who did not have disabled children with 163 parents whose children had developmental disabilities and 133 parents whose children had mental-health problems. What Ha and her team found was that among parents whose children had either category of disability, " negative affect " was higher than for the parents of normative children: they more often reported feeling nervous, restless, hopeless, worthless, or " so sad nothing could cheer you up. " They also registered more headaches, backaches, joint stiffness, and difficulty sleeping. The psychological well-being of parents with developmentally disabled children also suffered, but for parents of children with mental illness, Ha says, psychological health didn't differ significantly from those who had normative children. Conversely, the parents of mentally ill children were less likely to be married, while marriage rates for developmentally disabled children's parents weren't much different than for normative children's parents. Most important, though, was Ha's finding on " the moderating effects of age. " As MIDUS II respondents grew older, the well-being gap between normative children's parents and disabled children's parents narrowed. Among those in their late 60s, there was almost no difference at all. " Over time, " Ha says, " parents adjust to the stress of their child's disability as they develop skills to better respond to their family circumstances. " By coincidence, MIDUS II parents of developmentally disabled children tended to be several years younger than normative children's parents, and they diverged more from the comparison group in negative affect and psychological well-being, a finding Ha calls consistent with the idea that advancing age improves well-being. Ha's study was the first to use a nationally representative sample and a comparison group to examine the effects on parental welfare of raising children with developmental or mental problems. The next step, she says, will be longitudinal studies to examine factors such as how " socioeconomic status, race, health characteristics, social support, and community resources influence the extent to which caring for disabled children affects parents' physical and mental health. " The parents in Ha's study did not differ by race, education, or socioeconomic status. Ha also compared the relative well-being of disabled children's mothers and fathers and found no significant difference. Although the responsibility of care falls mostly to mothers, they're also more likely to have support networks and to find satisfaction and joy in their parenting role. ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 25, 2008 Report Share Posted November 25, 2008 : You are the perfect example of someone who sees the glass as half full!!! LIfe is full of challenges and most people do have their share. Ellen Ellen Garber Bronfeld egskb@... What do you think??? IPADDUnite Date: Sunday, November 23, 2008, 3:56 PM Just curious what you think about this... Ellen Time heals For parents with disabled children, age improves well-being, finds SSA researcher Jung-Hwa Ha. By Lydialyle Gibson ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - ---------- Raising a me ntally ill or developmentally disabled child can take a tremendous physical and emotional toll. Parents find themselves thrice burdened: by therapy and medical bills that insurance won't always pay; by the day-to-day effort to care for their children and control their behavior; and by the grief and stress of dealing with social stigma, knowing their children may not reach the usual adult milestones, and worrying about their future care after their parents' deaths. But it does get easier, says Jung-Hwa Ha, an assistant professor in the School of Social Service Administration who coauthored a study this fall on well-being among disabled children's parents. With age, she found, comes equanimity. SSA researcher Jung-Hwa Ha Published in the September Journal of Health and Social Behavior, Ha's research analyzed data from the Study on Midlife in the United States (MIDUS). In 1994 and 1995 researchers sponsored by the MacArthur Foundation surveyed more than 7,000 Americans ages 25 to 74, looking at age-related differences in mental and physical health. A decade later, the National Institute on Aging funded MIDUS II, a follow-up survey using many of the same respondents. Among the screening questions it asked were some about rearing a child with problems such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder. Ha, who earned a sociology and social-work PhD from the University of Michigan studying late-life widowhood, examined the MIDUS II data to see how stress from the disorders manifested itself in parents' lives. She compared 1,393 parents who did not have disabled children with 163 parents whose children had developmental disabilities and 133 parents whose children had mental-health problems. What Ha and her team found was that among parents whose children had either category of disability, " negative affect " was higher than for the parents of normative children: they more often reported feeling nervous, restless, hopeless, worthless, or " so sad nothing could cheer you up. " They also registered more headaches, backaches, joint stiffness, and difficulty sleeping. The psychological well-being of parents with developmentally disabled children also suffered, but for parents of children with mental illness, Ha says, psychological health didn't differ significantly from those who had normative children. Conversely, the parents of mentally ill children were less likely to be married, while marriage rates for developmentally disabled children's parents weren't much different than for normative children's parents. Most important, though, was Ha's finding on " the moderating effects of age. " As MIDUS II respondents grew older, the well-being gap between normative children's parents and disabled children's parents narrowed. Among those in their late 60s, there was almost no difference at all. " Over time, " Ha says, " parents adjust to the stress of their child's disability as they develop skills to better respond to their family circumstances. " By coincidence, MIDUS II parents of developmentally disabled children tended to be several years younger than normative children's parents, and they diverged more from the comparison group in negative affect and psychological well-being, a finding Ha calls consistent with the idea that advancing age improves well-being. Ha's study was the first to use a nationally representative sample and a comparison group to examine the effects on parental welfare of raising children with developmental or mental problems. The next step, she says, will be longitudinal studies to examine factors such as how " socioeconomic status, race, health characteristics, social support, and community resources influence the extent to which caring for disabled children affects parents' physical and mental health. " The parents in Ha's study did not differ by race, education, or socioeconomic status. Ha also compared the relative well-being of disabled children's mothers and fathers and found no significant difference. Although the responsibility of care falls mostly to mothers, they're also more likely to have support networks and to find satisfaction and joy in their parenting role. ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 26, 2008 Report Share Posted November 26, 2008 HA, well Ellen, if I didn't see the glass that way I'd likely go crazy H. Re: What do you think??? : You are the perfect example of someone who sees the glass as half full!!! LIfe is full of challenges and most people do have their share. Ellen Ellen Garber Bronfeld egskb@... What do you think??? IPADDUnite Date: Sunday, November 23, 2008, 3:56 PM Just curious what you think about this... Ellen Time heals For parents with disabled children, age improves well-being, finds SSA researcher Jung-Hwa Ha. By Lydialyle Gibson ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - ---------- Raising a me ntally ill or developmentally disabled child can take a tremendous physical and emotional toll. Parents find themselves thrice burdened: by therapy and medical bills that insurance won't always pay; by the day-to-day effort to care for their children and control their behavior; and by the grief and stress of dealing with social stigma, knowing their children may not reach the usual adult milestones, and worrying about their future care after their parents' deaths. But it does get easier, says Jung-Hwa Ha, an assistant professor in the School of Social Service Administration who coauthored a study this fall on well-being among disabled children's parents. With age, she found, comes equanimity. SSA researcher Jung-Hwa Ha Published in the September Journal of Health and Social Behavior, Ha's research analyzed data from the Study on Midlife in the United States (MIDUS). In 1994 and 1995 researchers sponsored by the MacArthur Foundation surveyed more than 7,000 Americans ages 25 to 74, looking at age-related differences in mental and physical health. A decade later, the National Institute on Aging funded MIDUS II, a follow-up survey using many of the same respondents. Among the screening questions it asked were some about rearing a child with problems such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder. Ha, who earned a sociology and social-work PhD from the University of Michigan studying late-life widowhood, examined the MIDUS II data to see how stress from the disorders manifested itself in parents' lives. She compared 1,393 parents who did not have disabled children with 163 parents whose children had developmental disabilities and 133 parents whose children had mental-health problems. What Ha and her team found was that among parents whose children had either category of disability, " negative affect " was higher than for the parents of normative children: they more often reported feeling nervous, restless, hopeless, worthless, or " so sad nothing could cheer you up. " They also registered more headaches, backaches, joint stiffness, and difficulty sleeping. The psychological well-being of parents with developmentally disabled children also suffered, but for parents of children with mental illness, Ha says, psychological health didn't differ significantly from those who had normative children. Conversely, the parents of mentally ill children were less likely to be married, while marriage rates for developmentally disabled children's parents weren't much different than for normative children' s parents. Most important, though, was Ha's finding on " the moderating effects of age. " As MIDUS II respondents grew older, the well-being gap between normative children's parents and disabled children's parents narrowed. Among those in their late 60s, there was almost no difference at all. " Over time, " Ha says, " parents adjust to the stress of their child's disability as they develop skills to better respond to their family circumstances. " By coincidence, MIDUS II parents of developmentally disabled children tended to be several years younger than normative children's parents, and they diverged more from the comparison group in negative affect and psychological well-being, a finding Ha calls consistent with the idea that advancing age improves well-being. Ha's study was the first to use a nationally representative sample and a comparison group to examine the effects on parental welfare of raising children with developmental or mental problems. The next step, she says, will be longitudinal studies to examine factors such as how " socioeconomic status, race, health characteristics, social support, and community resources influence the extent to which caring for disabled children affects parents' physical and mental health. " The parents in Ha's study did not differ by race, education, or socioeconomic status. Ha also compared the relative well-being of disabled children's mothers and fathers and found no significant difference. Although the responsibility of care falls mostly to mothers, they're also more likely to have support networks and to find satisfaction and joy in their parenting role. ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 26, 2008 Report Share Posted November 26, 2008 I agree, ...half empty glasses just scream for a washing... Half full glasses need drinking... Ellen Ellen Garber Bronfeld egskb@... What do you think??? IPADDUnite Date: Sunday, November 23, 2008, 3:56 PM Just curious what you think about this... Ellen Time heals For parents with disabled children, age improves well-being, finds SSA researcher Jung-Hwa Ha. By Lydialyle Gibson ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - ---------- Raising a me ntally ill or developmentally disabled child can take a tremendous physical and emotional toll. Parents find themselves thrice burdened: by therapy and medical bills that insurance won't always pay; by the day-to-day effort to care for their children and control their behavior; and by the grief and stress of dealing with social stigma, knowing their children may not reach the usual adult milestones, and worrying about their future care after their parents' deaths. But it does get easier, says Jung-Hwa Ha, an assistant professor in the School of Social Service Administration who coauthored a study this fall on well-being among disabled children's parents. With age, she found, comes equanimity. SSA researcher Jung-Hwa Ha Published in the September Journal of Health and Social Behavior, Ha's research analyzed data from the Study on Midlife in the United States (MIDUS). In 1994 and 1995 researchers sponsored by the MacArthur Foundation surveyed more than 7,000 Americans ages 25 to 74, looking at age-related differences in mental and physical health. A decade later, the National Institute on Aging funded MIDUS II, a follow-up survey using many of the same respondents. Among the screening questions it asked were some about rearing a child with problems such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder. Ha, who earned a sociology and social-work PhD from the University of Michigan studying late-life widowhood, examined the MIDUS II data to see how stress from the disorders manifested itself in parents' lives. She compared 1,393 parents who did not have disabled children with 163 parents whose children had developmental disabilities and 133 parents whose children had mental-health problems. What Ha and her team found was that among parents whose children had either category of disability, " negative affect " was higher than for the parents of normative children: they more often reported feeling nervous, restless, hopeless, worthless, or " so sad nothing could cheer you up. " They also registered more headaches, backaches, joint stiffness, and difficulty sleeping. The psychological well-being of parents with developmentally disabled children also suffered, but for parents of children with mental illness, Ha says, psychological health didn't differ significantly from those who had normative children. Conversely, the parents of mentally ill children were less likely to be married, while marriage rates for developmentally disabled children's parents weren't much different than for normative children' s parents. Most important, though, was Ha's finding on " the moderating effects of age. " As MIDUS II respondents grew older, the well-being gap between normative children's parents and disabled children's parents narrowed. Among those in their late 60s, there was almost no difference at all. " Over time, " Ha says, " parents adjust to the stress of their child's disability as they develop skills to better respond to their family circumstances. " By coincidence, MIDUS II parents of developmentally disabled children tended to be several years younger than normative children's parents, and they diverged more from the comparison group in negative affect and psychological well-being, a finding Ha calls consistent with the idea that advancing age improves well-being. Ha's study was the first to use a nationally representative sample and a comparison group to examine the effects on parental welfare of raising children with developmental or mental problems. The next step, she says, will be longitudinal studies to examine factors such as how " socioeconomic status, race, health characteristics, social support, and community resources influence the extent to which caring for disabled children affects parents' physical and mental health. " The parents in Ha's study did not differ by race, education, or socioeconomic status. Ha also compared the relative well-being of disabled children's mothers and fathers and found no significant difference. Although the responsibility of care falls mostly to mothers, they're also more likely to have support networks and to find satisfaction and joy in their parenting role. ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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