Abstract
This study explored educational and occupational goals of mothers caring for a child with Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS). Data were collected from 97 mothers (M age = 41.31 years, SD age = 9.60) via online survey. Results showed that 63.0% of mothers earned an undergraduate or professional degree, while 55.0% desired to further their education. Those who gave birth to their first child during young adulthood were more likely to complete an undergraduate or graduate degree than those who were younger when their first child was born (χ 2 = 34.53, p = .003). Overall, 34.1% reported low occupational satisfaction, while 36.5% reported high satisfaction. Approximately 45% desired to change occupations. Caregiver well-being, satisfaction, self-efficacy, depressive symptoms, and fatigue together predicted occupational satisfaction beyond the influence of education obtained or household income (∆R 2 = .28, ∆F(5,74) = 4.93, p = .001). Independently, occupational satisfaction was directly influenced by caregiver satisfaction (B = .23, p = .04) and well-being (B = .09, p = .01). Mothers caring for a child with SMS express distinct challenges in meeting educational and occupational goals while balancing caregiver demands. Clinical and research implications are discussed.
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Stephanie Kozachek for assistance in survey design, study participants, and PRISMS for ongoing support and funding of caregiver studies in Smith-Magenis syndrome.
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Foster, R.H., Kanotra, S., Stern, M. et al. Educational and Occupational Aspirations Among Mothers Caring for a Child with Smith-Magenis Syndrome. J Dev Phys Disabil 23, 501–514 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-011-9241-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-011-9241-5