Empirical Literature

In addition to the physical aid that mothers provide, muscular dystrophy can also affect mental health. The disease is both chronic and terminal, therefore carrying the necessity for many psychological adjustments to occur within the family at any given time (Nereo et al., 2003). Furthermore, parental stress can have a direct impact on the health of the child. Lynn et al. describe the concept of uncertainty in relation to family and dynamics. As parental uncertainty increased, child uncertainty also increased (Lynn et al., 2010). As uncertainty in the child increases, so do anxiety, depression, and psychological distress. This is not healthy for the child, nor the mother and/or the rest of the family that is involved. 

Difficulty adjusting. Chronic diseases in children have an impact not only on the child, but also on other members of the family. Barlow and Ellard (2005) provided an overview of the current literature regarding the psychosocial well-being of children with chronic disease, their parents, and siblings. A total of 391 articles were identified that were selected according to strict inclusion criteria. Two researchers reviewed the articles for reliability. The findings were consistent that emotional distress (anxiety and depression) was greater among parents of children diagnosed with chronic diseases. Mothers may not have the financial ability to hire a caregiver, leaving the stress solely on her. It then becomes an issue that the mother does not have time to run errands, get the household chores done, or even be able to work. Not only does this hinder the mother, it also impedes on the already delicate health of the child (Barlow & Ellard, 2005). Consistent with this research, the article “Correlates of maternal and paternal adjustment to chronic childhood disease” states that mothers reported significantly more difficulties than fathers while attempting to adjust to things like new lifestyle, caregiving requirements, and changing prognosis (Crawford & Dewey, 2007). Specifically, mothers were prone to higher levels of psychological distress if they had poor family cohesion and less social support. This is consistent with the rest of the literature, Barlow & Ellard (2005) stating that mothers are less likely to be affected by the stress of their child’s chronic disease if they have a social output, and Brown et al. (2008) referring to demographic variables such as resources and social groups and how they play a role in the support of these parents.