| A pilot study examined caregivers' expectancies of their child's speech-language therapy prior to treatment. Specific caregiver and family characteristics (i.e. socioeconomic status, caregiver stress levels, and family status) were analyzed to determine if these predicted high or low expectancies of speech-language therapy. Because of the low number of participants (15 respondents), the present study is not representative to draw conclusions about caregiver expectancies. Likely due to the small sample number, the lack of participation of single and low income caregivers, and the absence of ethnic minority participants, a relationship between caregiver expectancies and socioeconomic status, family status, ethnic status, and parenting stress could not be determined.;The results based on the small sample indicated that socioeconomic status, caregiver stress, and family status did not predict high or low expectancies. Despite the small sample, statistical significance was identified in caregivers' agreement to high expectancy statements and disagreement to low expectancy statements. Additional findings showed that 26.6% of the caregivers scored at a high total stress score. Within the group of the 26.6% that scored at a high total stress score, 75% scored at an even higher total stress score indicating clinically significant levels of stress. Overall, the findings have implications for the need to understand caregiver stress, the factors that influence caregiver stress, and its impact on intervention and treatment outcomes. |
