Mothers with Spinal Cord Injuries: Impact on Family Division of Labor, Family Decision Making, and Rearing of Children

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to increase our understanding regarding the division of family household tasks, family decision making, and the caring and rearing of children in families where mothers were disabled by a spinal cord injury (SCI). Method: A 2 (mother, partner) &#50 2 (spinal cord injured, able-bodied) factorial design was used. Mothers were matched on key demographic variables. Participants were selected from seven regional model SCI systems nationwide. The volunteer sample consisted of 251 participants: 88 mothers with SCI and 46 of their partners, and the matched control group including 84 able-bodied mothers and 33 of their partners. The main outcome measure was the Through the Looking Glass Parenting With Disabilities Couples Survey, disabled and able-bodied versions. Results: In families of SCI mothers, the division of household and child-care tasks was more egalitarian than in families with able-bodied mothers. Conclusion: Partners of SCI mothers did not perceive the disability as an undue burden, and these couples were more than able to meet the challenges posed by maternal SCI.