Expressed Emotion and support in grandparents of children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and autism
Abigail Methley
Bangor University
EE is a
measure of the emotional climate of a family (Leff & Vaughn, 1985). Little
EE research focuses on grandparents of children with IDD and autism, despite
the varied and often intensive support that they provide to their families.
This study investigated whether grandparents of children with IDD and autism
show high EE, as well as examining mediating factors of EE, the support
grandparents provide to families and the conflicts they experience. Thirty participants answered a demographic questionnaire and a short form of the
Questionnaire on Resources and Stress (QRS-F) as well as participating in a
Five Minute Speech Sample (FMSS). Predicted results suggest that participants
do not show high EE despite being highly involved in supporting their
grandchildren, and that support provided and conflict experienced independently
affect participants stress, pessimism and depression scores. These findings
need to be acknowledged and addressed in support services provided to grandparents.
