Perceived stress moderates the relationship between family support and family quality of life among parents of children living with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Abstract

In Nigeria, the prevalence of intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) is relatively high, and there is no harmonized national policy to subsidize care and to assist families in caring for their children living with IDD. Thus, the increased stress seems to affect psychological and physiological health and puts social and economic pressures on families managing the care needs of their children living with IDD. A high level of family support has been shown to positively affect the family quality of life (FQOL) of individuals with IDD and their family members. Perceived stress may affect the quality of life of parents of children with IDD. What is not clear is how perceived stress can moderate the relationship between family support and FQOL. The present study examined whether perceived stress moderates the relationship between family support and quality of life (FQOL) among 129 parents of children living with IDD. These participants were selected from a daycare school located in Enugu state, Nigeria. They consisted of 95 women and 34 men who were within the age range of 30–55 years, with a M age of 40.16 years and a SD of 9.11. Three sets of instruments were employed for data collection. The results of moderated regression analysis revealed that family support positively predicted FQOL. Perceived stress negatively predicted FQOL. Similarly, perceived stress moderated the relationship between family support and FQOL. Our findings highlight the importance interventions that target stress as a risk factor that may lead to low FQOL and family support as a protective factor that decreases the negative effect of perceived stress on FQOL. Creating interventions and policies that support adequate family support for parents caring for children with IDD may promote their FQOL.