Longitudinal Changes in the Parenting Stress of Mothers of Children with Cerebral Palsy and Their Relationship with Children’s Gross Motor Function System Levels

Stress caused by children with disabilities harms the growth and development of children and their families. The present study aimed to investigate whether parenting stress of mothers of children with cerebral palsy changes and the relationship between children’s gross motor function level and changes in parenting stress. Data were collected from 162 children with cerebral palsy and their mothers over a 2-year period at three time points. Gross motor function and parenting stress were assessed using the Gross Motor Function Classification System and the Korean version of the Parenting Stress Index—Short Form. Linear latent growth curve models of Wave 2 and Wave 3 variation in parenting stress were constructed. The relationship between Gross Motor Function Classification System level and parenting stress was evaluated via latent growth modeling. The results showed that the linear variation models reflected the time evolution of parenting stress. There were individual differences in parenting stress at the initial level and no individual differences in changes in parenting stress. The relationship between the initial level and the change rate of parenting stress was not significant. Higher initial values of the Gross Motor Function Classification System level were associated with higher initial values of parenting stress, but not related to a change in parenting stress. The results showed that parenting stress of mothers with children with cerebral palsy decreased over time and that Gross Motor Function Classification System level was related to parenting stress level. Based on these findings, directions for further research are put forth.