What factors are associated with posttraumatic growth among mothers of children with developmental disabilities in South Korea?

BACKGROUND

The identification of PTG and its correlates in the aftermath of a traumatic event would assist professionals in recognizing and amplifying individual's potential strengths. However, there are few studies on PTG and its correlates in mothers who have birthed or raised children with developmental disabilities in South Korea.

AIM

This study examined the predictive role of caregiving strain and social support on the subdimensions of PTG among South Korean mothers of children with developmental disabilities.

METHODS AND PROCEDURES

The participants were 344 mothers of children with intellectual disabilities or autism. PTG was divided into four sub-dimensions (change in self-perception, increase in interpersonal depth, finding new possibilities, and increase in spiritual interest), and the predictive roles of caregiving strain and social support on each sub-dimension were identified using hierarchical multiple regression.

OUTCOMES AND RESULTS

Subjective caregiving strain; family support services; and support from family, friends, or significant others were significantly related to the subdimensions of PTG. Interestingly, support from significant others was positively associated with PTG.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Social support was more likely to influence all subdimensions of PTG, except for changes in self-perception while only subject caregiving strain was associated with PTG. Thus, policymakers and practitioners should prioritize expanding family support services and strengthening various informal supportive resources for mothers with higher PTG.