Mothers with spinal cord injuries: Impact on marital, family, and children's adjustment

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Study investigate how mothers with spinal cord injury (SCI) adjust to parenting, their marriages, and their families, and how their children adjust to their mothers' disability. The experimental group consisted of 88 mothers with SCI, 46 of their partners, and 31 of their children. The control group was composed of 84 healthy mothers, 33 partners, and 28 of their children. Mothers in both groups completed a series of questionnaires. Depending on the age of the child, the questionnaires were completed by either the child or the mother. Participation from partners was optional. Gender role identify, self-esteem, children's adjustment, children's attitude toward mother and father, dyadic and family adjustment, parenting stress, and parenting satisfaction were measured. No significant differences were found between mothers with SCI and able-bodied mothers or between children raised in families with mothers with and without SCI. The results challenge the negative stereotypes regarding disability and parenting.

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