Constellation, le dépôt institutionnel de l'Université du Québec à Chicoutimi

Résumé

Background: Studies have shown links between parents' and child's adaptation. Likewise, mindfulness, a mental state where individuals pay attention deliberately, without judgment to the present moment, has been associated with mental health in many populations. Few studies have examined the action mechanisms of mindfulness among parents of a child with an intellectual disability. Establish among the latter population the relation between dispositional mindfulness and mental health of parents, and their child's problematic and adaptive behaviors.

Method: A sample of 83 parents (47 mothers, 36 fathers) receiving services for their child with an intellectual disability completed individually a self-reported questionnaire.

Results: Parents' stress and distress are correlated to their child's problematic behaviors. No significant relation is observed with parents' well-being as well as child's adaptive behaviors. Moreover, parents' dispositional mindfulness is significantly related to their mental health, but not to the child's behaviors.

Conclusions: Child's problematic behaviors could be a reaction to parents' actions and may exacerbate their stress and distress. However, because adaptive behaviors are more predictable since they relate to the child's condition, their effects could be less detrimental on the parents' mental health. Studies are needed to understand the action mechanisms of parents' mindfulness on their child's behaviors.