MATERNAL AND PATERNAL CAREGIVING OF PERSONS WITH MENTAL-RETARDATION ACROSS THE LIFE-SPAN

The study compared the objective (time demands and support provided) a nd subjective dimensions (caregiving burden) of caregiving for fathers and mothers of children and adults with mental retardation living in the family home and in other settings. Also, it examined the extent th at characteristics of the child and family and time commitments of bot h parents affected these outcomes. In comparison with fathers, mothers spent more time providing care, offered more types of support, and pe rceived more caregiving burden. For both parents out-of-home placement of adults, but not children, was associated with less caregiving burd en. The behaviors and health of the offspring had a greater impact on mothers than on fathers. The effects of their own time commitments and their spouse's time commitments on their caregiving experience differ ed for mothers and fathers.