MATERNAL, PATERNAL, AND MARITAL FUNCTIONING IN FAMILIES OF PREADOLESCENTS WITH SPINA-BIFIDA

Based on a family, system/social-ecological perspective, mothers and f athers of 8- and 9-year-old children with spina bifida (n = 55; 28 mal e, 27 female) were examined in comparison to a matched group of parent s with 8- and 9-year-old able-bodied children (n 55; 29 male, 26 femal e) across several areas of functioning (individual, parental, and mari tal). Findings suggested that mothers and fathers in the spina bifida sample tended to report more psychosocial stress than their counterpar ts in the able-bodied sample. Specifically, mothers and fathers in the spina bifida group reported less parental satisfaction than parents i n the able-bodied group. Mothers in the spina bifida group reported le ss perceived parental competence, more social isolation, and less adap tability to change; fathers in the spina bifida group reported more ps ychological symptoms. No differences between the spina bifida and able -bodied groups were found with respect to marital satisfaction. Coping predictors of adjustment tended to vary as a function of parent gende r rather than group status.