Gupta, Nisha; (1997) Stress, coping and adjustment in parental primary carers of adults with challenging behaviour. Doctoral thesis (D.Clin.Psy.), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

A multivariate cross-sectional design was used to investigate the psychological impact of challenging behaviour on parental primary carers of adults with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour. The sample consisted of 54 parental primary caregivers in families containing an adult with a learning disability and exhibiting challenging behaviour, identified and recruited from 15 local learning disability services in and around the boroughs of London. Parental primary caregivers, mainly mothers, were requested to complete a booklet of self-report questionnaires, which included questions about their health, satisfaction with life, personal attitudes and traits, family and social relationships, coping styles and the nature of the challenging behaviour and learning disability in their sons/daughters. A taped interview, using a semi-structured interview schedule, was also conducted with caregivers' in their homes to explore their personal views, perceptions, needs and experiences relating to professional contact and services. The relationships between potential stressors, coping resources, coping strategies and psychosocial adaptation were investigated using multiple regression analyses. Significant associations were found between the outcome variables of psychosomatic health and perceived satisfaction with life and the predictor variables of challenging behaviour, marital satisfaction, neuroticism and coping strategies. Taped interviews were transcribed and coded to examine any patterns in service use and professional contact, levels of satisfaction, the nature of caregivers' needs in relation to caring for their sons/daughters and their observance of any gaps and limitations in service delivery and organisation. The implications of the study's results and findings for service organisation and delivery, clinicians and practitioners in clinical practice and also research practice are discussed.

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