MMPI indicators of stress and marital discord among parents of children with chronic illness

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The present study explored the emotional adjustment and marital relationships of parents of children with chronic, life-threatening illness. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) was completed by 42 fathers and 71 mothers of pediatric cancer patients and 26 fathers and 29 mothers of hemophilic children. Their MMPI profiles were examined for signs of emotional disturbance (i.e., number of T scores of 70 or higher on the clinical scales). Profiles of husband-and-wife pairs were analyzed for marital stress using the Arnold Sign Indicator (ASI). Results indicated that both groups of parents suffered more distress than a normal group but less than marriage counselees. Parents of cancer patients showed higher levels of stress than parents of hemophiliacs.