The role of positive affect in moderating the stressor-felt stress relationship in mothers of a child with Down syndrome

Numerous studies have shown the benefits of positive affect for people experiencing life stressors and psychological distress. This study was designed to examine the moderating role of positive affect in the relationship between a group of stressors (SES, maternal sense of competence, problematic child behaviors, unsupportive interactions, and perceived stigma) and maternal stress in mothers of children with Down syndrome. One hundred and twenty-seven mothers of school-aged children with Down syndrome were recruited. Multiple regression analysis was used to analyze the data. The regression results indicated that the entire set of variables significantly explained approximately 60% of the variance in the mothers' perception of stress with SES and maternal sense of competence significantly and inversely related to stress. Positive affect did not predict significantly above the individual variables, nor did it moderate the relations between maternal competence and stress or SES and stress. Contradictory to previous research, this group of mothers did not report excessively high levels of stress. Limitations and implications for practice and future research are discussed.