DISABILITY IN THE FAMILY - THE EFFECTS ON CHILDRENS WELL-BEING

In this study, we examine the impact of disability among all coresiden t family members on children's severe and common behavioral problems a nd their probability of suffering an accident, injury, or poisoning in the previous year. Using data from the 1988 National Health Interview Survey's supplement on child health, we analyze a sample of 11,248 no ndisabled children aged 5. to 17. The results of multiple classificati on analyze show that the mean number of severe and common behavioral p roblems were significantly increased by the presence of a disabled fam ily member. The risk of severe behavioral problems was highest for chi ldren living with more than one disabled family member. Common behavio ral problems were more likely to be found among children who live with a disabled parent. Only children living in households with more than one disabled person showed an increased risk of experiencing an accide nt, injury, or poisoning.