Examining Stress in Parents of Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22430202 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Kelli A Sanderson (0000-0002-9483-8474, California State University, Long Beach, corresponding author), Meghan M Burke (0000-0001-5287-2351, Vanderbilt University) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 64 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 187-200 |
| Publication date | 2026-05-04 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1934-9491 • E-ISSN: 1934-9556 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/19349491.2026.2659663 |
| OpenAlex | W7161007532 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 53 |
Many parents of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) experience high levels of stress. Such stress can negatively impact parents (e.g., create exhaustion, worsen physical and mental health) and their children with IDD (e.g., reduce their quality of care). By identifying specific stressors and their correlates, targeted interventions can be designed to mitigate stress and improve outcomes for families of adults with IDD. In this study, 518 parents of adult children with IDD responded to a national survey about their stress. Top stressors included future planning and a lack of daily activities for their adult children with IDD. Having an adult child with autism and being from collectivistic cultures were consistent correlates of greater stress. Implications for research, policy, and practice are discussed.
Autism · Child rearing · Developmental disorder · Intellectual disability · Public health · Disability Rights and Representation · Down syndrome and intellectual disability research · Family and Disability Support Research
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| Highly cited | No |
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