The relationship between sense of entitlement and life satisfaction among parents of children with developmental disabilities: the moderating role of social support

Sense of entitlement is gaining more scientific attention as a multidimensional concept that includes adaptive as well as maladaptive components that may make a unique contribution to the life satisfaction of parents of children with developmental disabilities (DD). Social support is an important resource that can alter the different relationships between the components of entitlement and life satisfaction. However, the moderating role of social support in the relationship between entitlement and life satisfaction among parents of children with DD has not yet been explored. Ninety-four parents of children with DD completed sense of entitlement, social support, and life satisfaction questionnaires. Results showed that social support was related to greater satisfaction with life and had a moderating effect on the relationship between all three of the components of sense of entitlement and life satisfaction. The active component of entitlement was positively associated with life satisfaction only where there were high levels of support. The revenge component was negatively related to life satisfaction only where there were low levels of support. The passive component was negatively related to life satisfaction in the context of low levels of support, while the reverse trend was demonstrated in conditions of high and medium levels of support. Interventions that enhance the perception of social support and adaptive aspects of entitlement can be valuable in terms of the life satisfaction of parents of children with DD.