Well-Being Among Adult Children of a Parent with Mental Disability: The Contribution of the Conservation of Resources Theory and the Subjective Well-Being Homeostasis Theory

Advisors: Prof. Liora Findler & Dr. Ayelet Gur

Children of a parent with mental disability (MD) may experience ongoing stress and are at greater risk of decreased well-being and disadvantages in various life domains in adulthood. Based on the Subjective Well-Being Homeostasis Theory (Cummins, 2001) and the Conservation of Resources Theory (Hobfoll, 2001), the current study aimed to examine a model for explaining well-being among adult children of a parent with MD, based on self-esteem, self-differentiation and perceived stress. The study examined the differences between adult children of a parent with MD and adult children with parents without MD (comparison group).

Using a quantitative method, 56 adult children of a parent with MD and 64 adults who grew up with parents without MD (aged 18-40) completed an online survey that included: (1) a demographic details questionnaire; (2) parent's MD questionnaire; (3) Mental Health Continuum – short form (Lamers et al., 2011); (4) Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965); (5) Differentiation of Self Inventory (Skowron & Friedlander, 1998); (6) Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen et al., 1983); (7) Conservation of Resources Evaluation (Hobfoll et al., 1992).

Results showed that adult children of a parent with MD reported lower well-being and increased perceived stress compared to the comparison group. Children of parents with MD reported higher perceived stress, possibly due to task overload and the involvement in medical and emotional care of the parent. Self-esteem, which is shaped during childhood, was lower among adult children of a parent with MD compared to the comparison group. Among women, who tend to take larger part in caring for their family members and find it difficult to create physical and emotional distance from their parents, female adult children of a parent with a MD reported lower self-differentiation compared to the comparison group.

A model of well-being, based on the Conservation of Resources Theory, showed that resource gain partially mediates the relationship between perceived stress and well-being. In addition, resource gain moderates the relationship between resources loss and well-being. These findings reflect the contribution of resource gain among adult children of a parent with MD moderating and mediating the damage to their well-being, due to the loss of resources and perceived stress experienced by these adults.

Adult children of a parent with MD, who were involved in caring for their parents, reported a higher resource gain in adulthood. In addition, adults who chose to take part in parental care reported higher well-being and self-esteem, moreover lower perceived stress and loss of resources compared to adults who did not choose to take part in parental care. It is possible that the choice of caring contributes to lower stress levels and better adaptation processes, while involvement in parent’s caring reduce feelings of helplessness, uncertainty and stigma.

The contribution of this study is in examining the characteristics of the life experience of children of parents with MD, which provides a retrospective perspective towards the relationship between their childhood circumstances and their well-being as adults. In addition, the research expands on the two main theories: (Cummins, 2001; Hobfoll, 2001), which have not been applied to this population before. The practical contribution of this study is in raising awareness of the life experience of adult children of a parent with MD among policy makers and professionals, and developing adequate interventions for improving their well-being.