Family-centered caregiving and well-being of parents of children with disabilities: Linking process with outcome

Objective: This study examined the strength of the relationship between par ents' perceptions of family-centered, professionally provided caregiving an d their emotional well-being (feelings of distress and depression). This wa s done in the context of other factors that might affect well-being (child behavior problems, coping strategies of parents, protective factors in the social environment, child factors related to disability, and family factors ). Method: We asked 164 parents of children with nonprogressive neurodevelopme ntal disorders (primarily cerebral palsy, spina bifida, or hydrocephalus) t o complete a series of instruments measuring the constructs of interest. Results: Structural equation modeling showed that more family-centered care giving was a significant predictor of parents' well-being. The most importa nt predictors of well-being were child behavior problems and protective fac tors in the social environment. Conclusions: Services are most beneficial when they are delivered in a fami ly-centered manner and address parent-identified issues such as the availab ility of social support, family functioning, and child behavior problems.