Reactions of families to children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Twenty-five families were interviewed to examine their adjustments to having a child with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Chronic emotional stress experienced by families of DMD children was found to be a significant problem in the overall management of the illness. Based on information obtained from the assessment of families' adaptation to their child's illness, recommendations are made concerning parent education, school placement, facilitation of marital harmony, informing the child about his illness, and sensitivity to the responses of other family members.