Behavior problems in adults with mental retardation and maternal well-being: examination of the direction of effects

Am J Ment Retard. 2003 Jul;108(4):257-71. doi: 10.1352/0895-8017(2003)108<257:BPIAWM>2.0.CO;2.

Abstract

We examined the occurrence and stability of behavior problems over a 6-year period among 193 adults with mental retardation who lived with their mothers. At the beginning of the study period, almost 30% of the sample had clinically significant behavior problems and about 25% had no behavior problems. During the study period, group-level stability of behavior problems and individual-level change were observed. We tested the bidirectional relations between behavior problems and maternal well-being and found evidence of both directions of influence. Initial levels and changes over time in behavior problems predicted changes in maternal well-being, and initial levels and changes over time in maternal well-being predicted changes in behavior problems in the son or daughter.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cost of Illness
  • Data Collection
  • Emotions
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intellectual Disability / complications
  • Intellectual Disability / psychology*
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / complications
  • Mental Disorders / psychology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Mother-Child Relations
  • Mothers / psychology*
  • Persons with Disabilities / psychology*