Determinants of life satisfaction of parents of children with intellectual disability: self-efficacy, stress and parent-child relationship

Parents of children with intellectual disability face multiple psychological and practical challenges that may negatively impact their life satisfaction. Parental self-efficacy and stress levels, along with the quality of the parent–child relationship, are critical factors influencing their well-being. This study aimed to examine the relationship between parental self-efficacy and life satisfaction, with a focus on the mediating roles of parental stress and the parent–child relationship. Data were collected from 414 parents of children with intellectual disabilities using validated scales measuring parental self-efficacy, life satisfaction, parental stress, and the parent–child relationship. Structural equation modeling was conducted to assess direct and indirect effects among these variables. Parental self-efficacy was positively associated with life satisfaction, while parental stress showed a significant negative association. The parent–child relationship partially mediated the association between self-efficacy and life satisfaction. A serial mediation model revealed that parental stress and the parent–child relationship fully mediated the link between self-efficacy and life satisfaction. Model fit indices indicated a good fit to the data. Parental self-efficacy and lower levels of stress are associated with higher life satisfaction, highlighting potential targets for intervention. The findings underscore the importance of supportive policies and programs that promote positive parent–child relationships and address parental stress to foster family well-being.