Parental Stress, Resilience, and Posttraumatic Growth Among Parents With Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Down Syndrome in the Kosovar Context

Research has shown that parents of children with intellectual disorders (IDs) often face significant challenges to their own mental health. However, caring for children with IDs can also have positive effects on parents to varying degrees. Most studies on the parental stress index (PSI) and posttraumatic growth (PTG) among ID parents have been conducted in Western countries, leaving a gap in our understanding of PTG in countries like Kosovo. This study explored PSI and PTG among 150 parents of children with IDs and the contribution of strengths. The findings demonstrated a positive association between PTG and resilience in Kosovo. Specific strengths such as coping, endurance, optimism, compassion, and support from intermediate family members were also positively associated with higher levels of PTG. This suggests that PTG can play a protective role in the mental health of ID caregivers in Kosovo by enhancing a sense of purpose and social support.