The Coping Patterns of Fathers and Mothers of Children with Disability:A Comparative Study

In the present study, researcher aims to study the difference between coping pattern of fathers and mothers of children with Intellectual disability, Autism and Down syndrome. The sample comprised of 15 fathers and 15 mothers of children with disability. The data was collected using three tools, the demographic details, COPE and Parental Questionnaire. Data available through Parental Questionnaire was analysed through qualitative analysis; specifically content analyses, whereas data analysis of COPE questionnaire was analysed through SPSS for t test. Differences were found on coping pattern of fathers and mothers of children with disability where Positive reinterpretation and growth coping pattern were used more frequently by fathers and behavioural disengagement coping pattern were used more frequently by mothers of children with disability. Based on content analyses of parental questionnaire it was found that mothers were turning more towards to religious coping whereas fathers are adopting more accepting coping pattern.