Blaymore Bier J A, Liebling J A, Morales Y, Carlucci M
Child Development Center, Department of Pediatrics, Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University School of Medicine, Providence 02903 USA.
Clin Pediatr (Phila). 1996 Mar;35(3):113-7. doi: 10.1177/000992289603500301.
The parents of 63 individuals with meningomyelocele completed a scale examining the effects of their child's disability on their family. Eighty-six pediatricians also completed the scale as they predicted parents would respond. Medical and psychosocial data were also obtained. The results showed the following: (1) A higher level lesion was associated with parental reports of a more negative impact on the family (p < .05), and (2) pediatricians predicted a more negative impact than was reported by the parents (p < .001). We conclude that pediatricians overestimate the negative effects while also underestimating the positive effects of the disability on the family.
