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The influence of paternal mental health on family functioning and problem behaviours in children with disabilities
Author
Lim, Jia Yin
Supervisor
Tan, Carol Soo Ching
Abstract
Although the well-being of family members plays a major role in predicting children’s outcomes, there is a scarcity of research on the effects of paternal mental health. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the influence of paternal mental health on family functioning and problem behaviours in children with disabilities in Singapore. A cross-sectional survey design was used with 113 fathers of children with disabilities from two special education schools in Singapore. The father participants were requested to complete a set of survey forms consisting of four questionnaires – the Demographic Questionnaire, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, the Family Impact Questionnaire and the Nisonger Child Behaviour Rating Form. The four questionnaires were used to gather information about the father participants’ demographic characteristics, mental health status, family functioning and the problem behaviours in their children with disabilities. Multiple linear regression analyses were then performed to test the hypotheses of the current study. Overall, the results from this research showed that paternal depression was a significant predictor of family functioning (i.e., impact on marriage and siblings) and problem behaviours (i.e., conduct problem and self-injury/stereotypic behaviours) in children with disabilities. Paternal anxiety was not a significant predictor of either family functioning or problem behaviours while paternal stress was a significant predictor of conduct problem only. The findings from this research suggest that paternal depressive and stress symptoms may be detrimental to family functioning and problem behaviours in children with disabilities in Singapore.
Date Issued
2019
Call Number
HQ759.913 Lim