Parenting stress in parents of children with developmental coordination disorder.

BACKGROUND

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder which affects around 5% of children but is often not detected by clinicians.

AIMS

The aim of the current study was to investigate whether parents of children with DCD report clinically-significant levels of parenting stress, and to assess a number of factors contributing to this stress, based on evidence from research into other neurodevelopmental disorders.

METHODS AND PROCEDURES

A survey was completed by 174 parents of children aged 5-12 years with DCD (parents age M = 42;3, SD = 4;11), comprising measures of the child's motor difficulties and behavioural problems, the parent's perceived competence in the parenting role and perceived levels of social support, and parenting stress.

OUTCOMES AND RESULTS

Two thirds of parents reported clinically-significant levels of stress. Multiple regression analyses revealed that all variables except for level of motor difficulties were unique predictors of parenting stress.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

The study highlights the need for greater awareness of DCD by bringing attention to the impact it can have on the whole family. Providing targeted interventions, particularly addressing parents' perceived competence in managing their child, could reduce parenting stress and improve parents' wellbeing. This in turn could influence their parenting and, therefore, child outcomes.