발달장애아동 어머니의 사회인구학적 변인, 가족지지 및 양육스트레스가 삶의 만족도에 미치는 영향

Influence of Socioeconomic Variables, Family Support, and Parenting Stress on Life Satisfaction of Mothers Raising Children with Disabilities

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of socioeconomic variables, family support, and parenting stress on the life satisfaction of mothers caring for children with developmental disabilities. A total of 229 mothers, raising school-age and adolescent children with developmental disabilities and residing in Gwangju and Gyeonggi-do, participated in the study. The main findings of the study are as follows. First, there were some differences observed in life satisfaction based on sociodemographic variables such as mother’s level of education, child’s age, economic status, and the presence or absence of a custodial helper. Second, an analysis of the relative influence of the related variables on life satisfaction showed that the variables that best explained the life satisfaction of mothers of children with developmental disabilities were parenting stress, followed by family support and economic status. In other words, higher life satisfaction was associated with lower parenting stress, higher family support, and improved economic conditions. These findings provide the basis for implementing systematic and effective intervention strategies that can improve the life satisfaction of mothers caring for children with developmental disabilities. By shedding light on the relative impact of life satisfaction, family support, and parenting stress, this study offers valuable insights for professionals in the field of education and counseling.