Effects of Respite Care for Children With Developmental Disabilities: Evaluation of an Intervention for at Risk Families

Respite child care programs can be a beneficial social support intervention for families of children with developmental disabilities. Families of children with developmental disabilities receiving respite services were assessed for parent stress level at pre and post, sociodemographic factors, level of respite services and child maltreatment rates. Respite services decreased parental stress levels; furthermore, some sociodemographic characteristics and parental stress scales were associated with child maltreatment.