Post-Traumatic Growth and Coping-Strategies of Parents of Children with Disabilities

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Abstract

We present the results of an empirical study of the effect of coping strategies on post-traumatic growth (PTG) of parents who raise children with disabilities. We emphasize the need for psychological help for parents that emerges as a predictor of the most successful development of the child and improves the quality of life of the parent. In the course of the study, 113 parents of children with disabilities completed the Post Traumatic Growth Inventory and the Ways of Coping Questionnaire. The results showed that coping strategies can either enhance or interfere with PTG. Positive reassessment, acceptance of responsibility, confrontational coping and search for social support have a positive effect on PTG, and planning has a negative effect. We drew up recommendations for the psychological assistance to parents of children with disabilities, based on the data and the concept of post-traumatic growth.

General Information

Keywords: parents of children with disabilities, post-traumatic growth, stress, chronic stress, coping, uncertainty, positive redefinition strategy, planning strategy

Journal rubric: Empirical Researches

Article type: scientific article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/cpp.2019270202

For citation: Sergienko A.I., Kholmogorova A.B. Post-Traumatic Growth and Coping-Strategies of Parents of Children with Disabilities. Konsul'tativnaya psikhologiya i psikhoterapiya = Counseling Psychology and Psychotherapy, 2019. Vol. 27, no. 2, pp. 8–26. DOI: 10.17759/cpp.2019270202. (In Russ., аbstr. in Engl.)

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Information About the Authors

Anna I. Sergienko, PhD in Psychology, teacher-psychologist of the Federal Resource Center for the Organization of Comprehensive support for children with ASD, Moscow State University of Psychology and Education, Moscow, Russia, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5105-4592, e-mail: sergienkoanna809@gmail.com

Alla B. Kholmogorova, Doctor of Psychology, Professor, Dean of the Faculty of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Moscow State University of Psychology & Education, Leading Researcher, Moscow Research Institute of Psychiatry (A Branch of the National Medical Research Centre for Psychiatry and Narcology), Moscow, Russia, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5194-0199, e-mail: kholmogorova@yandex.ru

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