Personal Growth Among Parents of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and Psychopathology: The Role of Social Support and Attitudes Toward Service Use

Introduction: Greater psychopathology among individuals with intellectual disabilities, as well as distress among their parents, are negatively associated with personal growth among the latter. This study examines the role of parents’ social support and their attitudes toward service use as mediators of the relationship between psychopathology among adolescents/young adults with intellectual disabilities and growth among their parents. Methods: Structured questionnaires which included measures of psychopathology of individuals with intellectual disabilities, parental distress, social support, attitudes toward service use and personal growth were completed by 195 parents of adolescents and young adults with intellectual disabilities or a dual diagnosis of intellectual disability and psychopathology. Results: Parent’s perception of the adolescent/young adult’s emotional state and social support were found to be associated with personal growth. Social support was found to mediate the relationships between the adolescent/young adult’s psychopathology and parental distress and personal growth. Parents’ attitudes toward use of services were not found to be related to growth. Conclusions: Social support plays a pivotal role in the lives of parents of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Professionals working with individuals with intellectual disabilities should seek to enhance social support for their parents.