Psychological study of maternal attitudes towards children with cerebral palsy
Zh Nevropatol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova, 88 (9):
109--114 (1988)Abstract
Psychologic study of maternal attitude in 62 mothers of infantile cerebral paralysis patients has revealed that mother's cognitive and emotional spheres were changing as a child grew older. Maternal attitude of women having little children was acceptance because the notions of the defect and the disease sequelae were incomplete and emotional experience had a defensive nature. With the notions of the deficit and disease aftereffects being objective at pre-school age of a child, the maternal attitude shifted to unacceptance. Spontaneous maternal attitude, be it acceptance of a protective nature or rejection, promotes inadequate personality development and requires psychological correction. The forming of an optimal parental position should involve increased competence, corrected parental expectations and demands.