Relationships between social support, stress and mother-child interactions in mothers with intellectual disabilities

Background Parents with intellectual disabilities suffer very high stress, but little is known about factors that mitigate stress and their impact on parenting. Methods This study examined the relationships between parenting stress, social support and mother-child interactions in 30 mothers with intellectual disabilities. All participants completed the Parenting Stress Index (PSI), the Telleen Parent Social Support Index (Telleen) and the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL). Also, 18 mothers and their children (less than 6 years of age) were observed in a 10-min play session at home. Results The mean PSI total and Child Domain stress scores were at the 85th percentile, indicating clinically significant stress. The Telleen support satisfaction (but not support size) and ISEL total scores were significantly negatively correlated, and support need significantly positively correlated with the PSI total score. Only social support satisfaction ratings were significantly (positively) correlated with positive maternal interactions. Conclusions This study showed that the mothers with intellectual disabilities experienced high levels of stress, were socially isolated and reported a great need for support. A satisfactory social support network may mitigate the effects of stress and is related to maternal positive interactional style.