Abstract
This paper investigated the characteristics of mothers of children with a disability who registered for a mental health and wellbeing workshop. The questionnaire measured mental health, health-related behaviours, empowerment, family cohesion, wellbeing and child-related variables. Regression analysis identified factors associated with depressive symptoms and positive wellbeing. Fifty-seven percent of participants (N = 171) had depressive symptoms within the clinical range. Higher symptoms were associated with reduced: empowerment (r = − .39, p < .01); positive-wellbeing (r = − .66, p < .05); and healthy activity (r = − .41, p < .001). Low positive wellbeing (β = .55, p < .001) was the strongest predictor of depressive symptoms. Family cohesion (β = .25, p < .001), was the strongest predictor of positive-wellbeing. Future health and wellbeing interventions that support mothers with high care responsibilities should include psycho-education and strategies to address healthy maternal and family-related behaviour changes.
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The authors acknowledge that this project was funded by the Australian Government, National Disability Insurance Agency, Information and Linkages Grant, 2018–2020.
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HBT designed the study, delivered the intervention, collected data and wrote the manuscript; KJ assisted with the research project and parts of the manuscript; SG assisted in the research design and manuscript; LT completed data analysis and contributed to the manuscript.
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Bourke-Taylor, H.M., Joyce, K.S., Grzegorczyn, S. et al. Profile of Mothers of Children with a Disability Who Seek Support for Mental Health and Wellbeing. J Autism Dev Disord 52, 3800–3813 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-05260-w
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-05260-w