Families with a Disabled Child, between Stress and Acceptance. A Theoretical Approach.

Family is a hierarchically organized system, which mobilizes its capacity of linear and circular adjustment, of homeostasis, of modification, increase and change with each new challenge that it encounters. This paper focuses on the issue of stress in families with a disabled child, starting from the premise that the normal development and integration of the disabled child in society depend significantly on ensuring - within the family - a supportive, reassuring, adaptive climate. The family can create this climate by ensuring a positive relationship between the two spouses and by approaching correctly the child's disability. Mention must also be made of the positive influence of parenting training on parental stress and on enhancing the parental sense of competence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]