This research by CIMCYC reveals that supporting the functional development of these children not only promotes their independence, but also significantly improves the quality of life of their parents
A team of researchers from the Mind, Brain, and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYC) at the University of Granada, in collaboration with the University of Castilla-La Mancha, has conducted a study that sheds light on the close relationship between parental stress and the daily performance of children with neurodevelopmental disorders. The study provides scientific evidence on a daily reality for many families, demonstrating that the health of caregivers is intrinsically linked to the level of autonomy and functional development of the children in their care.
The research involved 43 fathers and 46 mothers of children aged between 3 and 12, with the aim of analyzing how difficulties in children's executive functions and sensory processing impact the well-being of their parents. The results showed significant relationships between these variables. Specifically, it was observed that the greater the difficulty of children in areas of executive and sensory functioning, the higher the level of perceived stress and the lower the quality of physical life detected in their parents. The study , entitled Quality of life and parental stress related to executive functioning, sensory processing, and activities of daily living in children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders, has been published in the journal PeerJ.
The study also showed that lower performance by children in activities of daily living is directly associated with poorer physical health in caregivers. These findings suggest that supporting the functional development of children has a positive bidirectional effect, as it not only improves their independence but can also alleviate the burden and improve the health of those who accompany them on a daily basis.
This work highlights that caregiving involves much more than meeting basic needs, requiring emotional support and constant adaptation to challenges that are often faced with little support. Therefore, understanding this relationship between child development and family well-being is essential for building healthier and more resilient environments.
