Perceived quality of life in mothers of children with fragile X syndrome

Am J Ment Retard. 2008 May;113(3):159-77. doi: 10.1352/0895-8017(2008)113[159:PQOLIM]2.0.CO;2.

Abstract

A mixed method approach was used to explore quality of life of 101 mothers of children with fragile X syndrome. Mothers completed a self-report of personal quality of life and measures of mental health and well-being. A subset was interviewed about quality of life. The distribution of scores on the Quality of Life Inventory was similar to the norms, indicating that these mothers do not, as a whole, report a lower quality of life than does the average woman. Significant predictors of quality of life were trait hope and parenting stress. The most common positive factor was being a mother. However, they also indicated that parenting a child with fragile X presented challenges and stressors, primarily when the social environment was not supportive.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attitude to Health*
  • Child
  • Children with Disabilities*
  • Fragile X Syndrome*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Mother-Child Relations
  • Mothers / psychology*
  • Parenting
  • Quality of Life / psychology*
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires