Stress and coping in parents of children with Down Syndrome

Down Syndrome, the most common chromosome disorder associated with mental r etardation, not only impedes the development of the child involved, but als o threatens the psychological well-being of all other family members, espec ially the parents. To investigate the relationships between the coping stra tegies used by parents of children with Down Syndrome and, respectively, an xiety and depression as manifestations of stress, 60 parents completed a bi ographical questionnaire, Coping Strategy Indicator (CSI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and State-Trait Inventory (STAI). The results indicated th at depression was present in 23.3% of the sample according to their BDI sco res, while 48.33% demonstrated above average anxiety on the STAI. Significa nt positive correlations were found between avoidant coping strategy scores and depression as well as anxiety scores, indicating the ineffectiveness o f avoidance to cope with the stress involved in parenting a Down Syndrome c hild. Mothers used a social support-seeking coping strategy significantly m ore than fathers did. The most important implication of this study is the n ecessity of training in effective coping strategies for parents of children with Down Syndrome.