Anxiety, psychological well-being and self-esteem in Spanish families with blind children. A change in psychological adjustment?

Jesús et al. (2013) gave a short survey to Spanish parents who are raising a blind child. They asked how anxious, how happy, and how confident the parents felt.

The team then compared the answers to country-wide norms to see if these parents stood out.

Mothers and fathers of blind children rated their self-esteem higher than the average Spanish adult. Their anxiety and general well-being scores matched the norm.

In short, the parents saw themselves as worthy and capable, even while raising a child with a severe visual impairment.

Mas et al. (2019) surveyed Spanish parents in early-intervention programs and also found good well-being when staff used family-centered practices. The two studies echo each other: Spanish parents of children with disabilities often feel capable, not crushed.

Samadi et al. (2014) looked at Iranian parents of children with developmental disabilities and saw high stress and poor family function. The difference is stark, but it makes sense: culture, services, and diagnosis all shape the parent experience. Spain offers strong disability support; Iran, at the time, did not.

Milane et al. (2025) studied Spanish families of children with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome and found very low emotional satisfaction. Jesús et al. (2013) paints a brighter picture for families of blind children, showing that outcomes vary by syndrome even within the same country.

You can stop assuming every parent of a child with a severe disability is highly anxious. In well-supported regions, many feel competent. Use this confidence: teach parents to lead their own support plans, and they will likely stay engaged. Still screen for anxiety in every family, because individual scores still vary.