'Room of Gloom': Reconceptualising Mothers of Children with Disabilities as Experiencing Trauma. Issue 2 (17th February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Emerson, Anne
• Is Part Of: Journal of loss and trauma. Volume 25:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 124
• Page End: 140
• Publication Date: 2020-02-17
• Subjects: trauma -- mothers of children with disabilities -- post-traumatic stress -- family services; Loss (Psychology) -- Periodicals; Adjustment (Psychology) -- Periodicals; Life change events -- Periodicals; Interpersonal relations -- Periodicals; 154.4
• DOI: 10.1080/15325024.2019.1658946
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1532-5024

Abstract

Abstract: The experience of having a child with disabilities can be traumatic due to the nature of the child's condition, fears for life, uncertainty about future quality of life and how news of the condition is imparted. Mothers of children with disabilities are known to experience high levels of stress, but participants in this study present evidence of post-traumatic stress. UK services are not designed to support traumatized parents, and health practice may serve to compound distress. The need for effective support for families, including in building social bonds, is highlighted.