DISABILITY IN THE FAMILY - THE EFFECTS ON CHILDRENS WELL-BEING

In this study, we examine the impact of disability among all coresident family members on children's severe and common behavioral problems and their probability of suffering an accident, injury, or poisoning in the previous year. Using data from the 1988 National Health Interview Survey's supplement on child health, we analyze a sample of 11,248 nondisabled children aged 5. to 17. The results of multiple classification analyze show that the mean number of severe and common behavioral problems were significantly increased by the presence of a disabled family member. The risk of severe behavioral problems was highest for children living with more than one disabled family member. Common behavioral problems were more likely to be found among children who live with a disabled parent. Only children living in households with more than one disabled person showed an increased risk of experiencing an accident, injury, or poisoning.