by Lam Lai Wah. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 121-128). / ACKNOWLEDGMENTS --- p.i / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iv / LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES --- p.vi / LIST OF APPENDICES --- p.vii / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- LITERATURE REVIEW / Introduction --- p.5 / Parental reactions to the birth of a child with congenital disability --- p.6 / Introduction to Down syndrome --- p.7 / Parental stress in rearing a child with handicaps --- p.11 / Outcomes of parental stress --- p.13 / Variables in relation to parental stress --- p.15 / Lazarus and Folkman's theory of stress and coping --- p.17 / Coping resources --- p.18 / Studies on perceived stress --- p.20 / Studies on coping --- p.24 / Studies on coping resources --- p.29 / Maternal focus --- p.30 / Summary --- p.32 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- METHODOLOGY / Aim --- p.34 / Objectives --- p.34 / Design --- p.35 / Sample --- p.36 / Instrument --- p.37 / Ethical issues --- p.38 / Gaining access --- p.39 / Pilot study --- p.41 / Results of the pilot study --- p.42 / Data collection --- p.44 / Data analysis --- p.49 / Validity and reliability --- p.54 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- FINDINGS / Demographic characteristics of the mothers --- p.58 / Demographic and biographic characteristics of the children --- p.59 / Description of the major categories and sub-categories identified --- p.61 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- DISCUSSION / Introduction --- p.87 / The first stage --- p.87 / The second stage --- p.95 / The third stage --- p.104 / Summary --- p.108 / Chapter CHAPTER6 --- IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE --- p.111 / LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY --- p.115 / RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY --- p.117 / CONCLUSIONS --- p.118 / REFERENCES --- p.121