Parenting competencies in parents of children with mild to moderate neuromusculoskeletal disabilities

Abstract

Practicing positive parenting is a protective factor for children’s optimal development. Therefore it is important to know the quality of parenting compe-tencies of parents with children with disabilities, in order to implement future intervention programs aimed at promoting positive parenting. Objective: To describe parenting competencies (PC) of father, mother or both, of 0 to12 year-old children with neuromusculoskeletal disabilities, attending Instituto Teletón in Puerto Montt. Patients and Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study, with 52 fathers or mothers between September and November 2017. Each father and/or mother answered the questions of Gómez & Muñoz’ Positive Parenting Scale (E2P) (2014). Results: Regarding total parenting competencies, 28.8% of parents are at risk range, 40.4% are at monitoring range, and 30.8% are at optimal range. Statistically significant associations were observed between total PC and parents’ age, also between birth order of the child and related PC. Discussion: Results are consistent with the results observed in general popu-lation in prevention programs carried out by the National Service for Minors (SENAME). Conclusion: Approximately 70% of parents require support for developing and strengthening PCs.