Family stress and family strengths: A comparison of single- and two-parent families with handicapped children

Using the Typology Model of Adjustment and Adaptation, a family stress model, the differences in family stressors, resources, family types, parental coping patterns, and child health indices were examined in 27 single‐parent families and 27 two‐parent families who had a child with cerebral palsy. The two groups of families were matched on the severity of the child's handicap and the age and gender of the parent. There was no significant difference between the two groups of families on the accumulation of stressors and demands, resource strains, family types, family cohesion, family resources of esteem/communication, mastery/health, extended family social support, and the child health indices of overall physical health status and health improvement. Single‐parent families were significantly lower on financial well‐being and the mother's coping related to maintaining family integration, cooperation, and optimism about the situation. Single‐parent families also were higher on family adaptability than two‐parent families, reflecting an ability to be more flexible in family rules, power structure, and role relationships.