Title
Children of Mothers with Intellectual Disability: Stigma, Mother-Child Relationship and Self-Esteem
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-2002
Abstract
Background We investigated mother-child relationships and self-esteem of typical children of mothers with intellectual disability. Methods Eighteen girls and 18 boys from various ethnic groups were administered question-naires to assess: (a) attachment style; (b) caregiver style; (c) perception of maternal stigma; and (d) self-esteem. The children were also asked to list the identities or roles that they play in life. Results Results suggested that: (a) the relationship between the child's perception of stigma and attachment to the mother is mediated by the warmth of the mother's caregiving style; and (b) if the child has an avoidant or anxious/ambivalent attachment to the mother, self-esteem tends to be lower. Furthermore, multiple identities contribute to positive self-esteem among these children. Conclusions Results are discussed in relation to the model presented and the consistency of the findings with attachment theory.
DOI
10.1046/j.1468-3148.2002.00140.x
MSU Digital Commons Citation
Perkins, Tiffany S.; Holburn, Steve; Deaux, Kay; Flory, Michael J.; and Vietze, Peter, "Children of Mothers with Intellectual Disability: Stigma, Mother-Child Relationship and Self-Esteem" (2002). Department of Psychology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works. 126.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/psychology-facpubs/126