Children with developmental disabilities are at greater risk for social difficulties and behavior problems than their typically developing peers. This study examined the influence of parental functioning on the behavioral outcomes of children with developmental disabilities, including Down syndrome, motor impairment, and developmental delay. The study examined whether levels of maternal and paternal stress, parental competence, and parental locus of control when the child was five years old is correlated with the level of behavior problems, internalizing and externalizing behavior and adaptive social skills and peer acceptance exhibited by the children as they turned ten years old. The study confirmed that child cognitive functioning and type of disability were significantly associated with level of internalizing behavior problems, social skills, and peer acceptance among children with developmental disabilities. Additionally, the study revealed that mothers' and fathers' parental functioning were significant factors in the social and behavioral development of their children with developmental disabilities over the course of middle childhood. Maternal and paternal parental functioning was associated with child's level of internalizing and externalizing behavior problems and social skills above and beyond the significance of child characteristics. Moreover, maternal parenting was associated with the child's level of peer acceptance. Additionally, the parental functioning variables of parenting stress and locus of control are significant factors in understanding child behavioral outcomes for children with developmental disabilities. The study discusses the implications of the findings for clinical treatment and future research.
