Twenty-seven mothers of infants and children with long-term tracheostomy were given a modified version of the Impact-on-Family Scale as part of a study designed to describe maternal perceptions of the impact of infant disability on various components of family life. Maternal perceptions of intensity of stress in different life areas were also examined as a function of salient medical, social, and demographic factors associated with the child's disability. Mothers report a high degree of stress in caring for their young disabled children, most notably in financial status. Mothers also report a strong sense of mastery in learning to care for their children. Several medical and demographic factors related to degree of maternal stress are identified.
Keywords: infant development; maternal stress; tracheostomy.