CROSS-NATIONAL COMPARISONS OF AGING MOTHERS OF ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES

Ageing (55+ years) mothers of adults with intellectual disabilities in the Republic of ireland, Northern Ireland and the United States were compared with respect to three general issues. Firstly, to what extent do the adults in these three countries differ in their level of relia nce on their mothers! Secondly, do the mothers differ in the extent to which they have made plans for the future care of their son OF daught er with intellectual disabilities? Thirdly, do the mothers differ in p hysical, social and psychological well-being! These cross-national com parisons were undertaken to examine the extent to which lifelong careg iving has either a common influence on mothers across national boundar ies, or, alternatively, whether the cultural context exerts a unique i nfluence on mothers in each country. Findings supported the latter exp lanation, even when background characteristics were statistically cont rolled.