Emotions and individual characteristics on the perception of disruptive behaviours in parents of children with Down syndrome

ObjectivesParents of children with Down syndrome face particular challenges. For example, children with Down syndrome often experience behavioural problems. Disruptive behaviours are conducts that frequently results in conflict with peers, family, and authority figures. Family behaviours and emotions significantly influence children's behaviour. Parents could deal with their children's disruptive behaviors through emotional intelligence techniques. Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognise, understand, and manage emotions. This study examines the relationship between parents' emotional intelligence and their perception of their children's disruptive behaviours in Down syndrome.MethodsA sample of 53 parents (40 mothers, Mage = 48.11, SDage = 4.62) of children with Down syndrome (Mage = 9.58 SDage = 1.93) was formed. Parents answered validated scales about their children's emotional intelligence and disruptive behaviors. These variables were compared according to the gender of parents and children, and their correlations were analyzed.ResultsFindings indicate that mothers exhibited higher levels of emotional intelligence than fathers, and that the perception of disruptive behaviors was negatively associated with the emotional intelligence of parents and children's age (r >= 0.27).ConclusionsThese results highlight the importance of early acquisition of socio-emotional skills and adaptive behaviours to manage daily stressors.