Stress, parental coping behavior, and mongolism : a study of the parental coping effectiveness under the stressful circumstances of caring for a mongoloid child

Abstract

This study investigates the coping behavior of parents in the stressful situation of the presence of a mongoloid child in the home. In testing the theory, coping behavior is related to socioeconomic status; the higher the status, the more effective the coping. This is an individual thesis prepared in 1966 in partial fulfillment for the requirements of a Master’s Degree for the Maritime School of Social Work and Saint Mary’s University. The records of 24 mongoloid children seen at the Halifax Mental Health Clinic for Children between October 1950 and September 1966 were examined. From these records data pertaining to the measurement of parental coping behavior and socioeconomic status were collected on schedules. The data was then complied and a statistical test (Fisher’s Exact Probability Test) carried out. The findings of this study indicated no significant difference between the coping behavior of parents of relatively high socioeconomic status and that of parents of relatively low socioeconomic status. Reasons for this finding are explored in the study. Nevertheless, it was concluded that social workers need to be attentive to the mechanisms of coping behavior and methods by which they can be enhanced. Also, social workers need to be aware of the implication of socioeconomic status on their practice.