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Evaluating Level of Crisis in Caregivers of Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Benninger, Tara L
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1447415223

Abstract Details

2015, Master of Arts, Ohio State University, Psychology.
Parents caring for a child with an intellectual or developmental disability experience significant stress and potential crises, which can contribute to poorer outcomes for the whole family. While previous research has examined parental stress, the experiences of parents with a child in crisis are poorly understood. This study’s objective was to begin to clarify a family’s experience of crisis as well as examine psychometric properties of a measure designed to assess crisis. Parents and caregivers of children and adolescents, age 5 to 17 and diagnosed with an Intellectual or Developmental Disability including Autism Spectrum Disorder completed all measures, reporting on their level of caregiver strain within the past 30 days on the Caregiver Strain Questionnaire (CGSQ) and their current level of crisis on the Brief Family Distress Scale (BFDS). Psychometric data from the BFDS and CGSQ were analyzed to examine aspects of reliability and validity. Additionally, exploratory analyses examined the relationship between demographic characteristics, strain and crisis level. A total of 55 parents/caregivers completed study materials; 52 met eligibility criteria and had usable data on all measures. On average, children were 13.7 years old, and 73.1% were male; 73.1% were the children’s mothers. Results from analyses indicated a strong positive relationship between the CGSQ and BFDS [r(52) =.67, p=.000] as well as excellent overall internal consistency within the CGSQ (a=.95). Additionally, the BFDS was able to detect differences between inpatient and outpatient conditions [t (50) = 2.905, p=.005], as well as previously established crisis groups validly categorizing participants through scores on the CGSQ [F(2, 49) = 16.04, p=.000]. Finally, exploratory analyses suggested no differences in stress or crisis level between parents of children with ASD compared to those without ASD, as well as a positive relationship between crisis level and number of comorbidities. This study was able to further validate a brief measure of crisis with the intent of demonstrating potential clinical utility. This study also helps clarify the experience of parents of children with I/DD in times of crisis and may assist in guiding parent resources and family intervention strategies. Limitations are discussed and include unequal sample sizes between inpatient and outpatient participants. Due to excessive burden, a measure of problem behavior was not included in this study but should be examined in future studies. Future research should examine the utility of the BFDS as a measure of change as well as in control clinical populations.
Andrea Witwer, PhD (Advisor)
Susan Havercamp, PhD (Committee Member)
Luc Lecavalier, PhD (Committee Member)
96 p.
Psychology
Autism Spectrum Disorder; Developmental Disabilities; crisis; parent stress; caregiver strain; ASD; Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities; measuring crisis

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Benninger, T. L. (2015). Evaluating Level of Crisis in Caregivers of Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1447415223

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Benninger, Tara. Evaluating Level of Crisis in Caregivers of Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. 2015. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1447415223.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Benninger, Tara. "Evaluating Level of Crisis in Caregivers of Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1447415223

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1447415223
928
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.