Change over a 16-month period in the psychological well-being of mothers of girls and women with Rett syndrome.

PURPOSE: There is an emerging research literature on the experiences of family members of girls and women with Rett syndrome (RTT), but a lack of longitudinal data.

METHODS

Fifty mothers whose daughters had RTT were surveyed 16-17 months after an earlier cross-sectional study. Measures completed at both time points focused on maternal positive and negative psychological well-being and their daughters' behavioral and emotional problems and RTT behavioral phenotype severity.

RESULTS

Maternal stress, anxiety, and depression demonstrated at least moderate levels of stability. Maternal positive perceptions were also moderately stable over 16-17 months. Longitudinal analyses suggested that their daughters' behavioral and emotional problems rather than RTT behavioral phenotype severity predicted later maternal well-being.

CONCLUSION

Mothers with RTT daughters experience chronic stress (persisting over time) but also ongoing positive perceptions. Practitioners should recognize positive perceptions and also consider targeted behavioral parent training to reduce behavior problems in individuals with RTT.