An Exploration of the Stressors, Coping Resources, and Resiliency of Rural Mothers of Children with Special Needs

摘要: AN EXPLORATION OF THE STRESSORS, COPING RESOURCES, AND RESILIENCY RURAL MOTHERS CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS by Claudia Durst Brasfield A child with a severe disability intensifies the demands facing family (Beck, Hastings, Daley, & Stevenson, 2004; Martin Baker, 2001; Withers Bennett, 2003). Mothers specifically face an intense challenge, concern as mother’s wellbeing directly impacts her child’s emotional well-being (Kobe Hammer, 1994), physical development, and progress within treatment (Lessenberry Rehfeldt, 2004). These challenges are further heightened for women living in rural communities little has changed individuals disabilities over past twenty years (Letvak, 2002). Although stress among these mothers is significant, it unclear how best to minimize facilitate adaptive coping resiliency women. This qualitative dissertation was exploration into stressors, resources, of children disabilities. Ten rural, Southeastern participated semi-structured interview. Supplementary sources data include member-checking interviews, participant observation, reflective journaling. Data derived from factors. Identified stressors absence services, insufficiency available effort required locate access services outside community, social financial demands, stemming personal attributes. All strategies listed participants shared similarities those utilized special needs not areas (Baun, 2002; Ferguson, Keller, Honig, However, support spirituality, two identified techniques, highly traditional, culture Nordal Hill, 1999; Slama, 2004b; Wagenfeld, The also their primary be external them, child/family service providers or God. had recommendations additional, beneficial resources themselves children. results informative significant research, practice, advocacy. Ultimately, hoped that this study may assist empowering members marginalized group, advancing governmental policies, informing interventions enhance Dissertation Presented Partial Fulfillment Requirements Degree Doctor Philosophy Counseling Psychology Department Psychological Services College Education Georgia State University Atlanta, 2007 Copyright