The hypothesis that stress in families increases as a child with devel
opmental delays grows older was evaluated. Mothers with children rangi
ng in age from 2 to 18 years were assigned to a preschool, middle chil
dhood, or adolescent group and asked to complete the Parenting Stress
Index (PSI). Results indicated that Child Domain scores were high for
all groups, but Parent Domain scores were within normal limits. The mi
ddle childhood group was consistently higher in both domains than eith
er the younger or older groups. Degree of handicap was not associated
with mothers' stress in the preschool group, but was related to PSI sc
ores for both other groups. Behavior problems were highly correlated w
ith maternal stress for the middle childhood and adolescent groups (da
ta not available for preschool group).