The present study will provide a detailed examination of the initial adjustment of the family system to the diagnosis of mental retardation for the first-born child. A longitudinal, control- group design is proposed to examine impact on the family system from an ecological perspective, with attention to a) marital structure and functioning, b) parental involvement, stress, and functioning, c) child behavior and development, and d) community support to the family. Fathers, mothers and first-born children will be included. Direct observation, interview, self-report, and formal developmental assessment data will be collected systematically in four sessions over nineteen months. Families will include 25 with a mentally retarded child (MR) and 25 comparison families (C) matched for chronological age of the child. The study is intended to identify specific interactional patterns which differentiate MR families from C families, demonstrate the manner in which such differences develop over time, identify the process and nature of impact on marital and individual well-being, and identify social supports which facilitate adaptive adjustment. Methodological advances include assessing multiple components of the family system simultaneously and over time, and systematically examining the interrelationships among measures. Results are intended to have broad implications for understanding families and facilitating their adaptation to caring for the mentally retarded child.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
First Independent Research Support & Transition (FIRST) Awards (R29)
Project #
5R29HD023014-03
Application #
3469558
Study Section
Human Development and Aging Subcommittee 3 (HUD)
Project Start
1988-09-30
Project End
1993-08-31
Budget Start
1990-09-01
Budget End
1991-08-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1990
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Oregon Health and Science University
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
009584210
City
Portland
State
OR
Country
United States
Zip Code
97239
Krahn, G L; Hallum, A; Kime, C (1993) Are there good ways to give 'bad news'? Pediatrics 91:578-82
Krahn, G L (1993) Conceptualizing social support in families of children with special health needs. Fam Process 32:235-48