Understanding Stress and Family Life with Spina Bifida

Why do some parents of children with Spina Bifida experience higher stress?

The Spina Bifida Association’s Family Functioning Guideline notes that parental stress can be higher than in the general population for some families raising a child with Spina Bifida.

This often reflects the realities of daily life, not a lack of resilience.

Families may be balancing:
• Ongoing medical care and daily management needs
• Multiple responsibilities at home, work, and caregiving
• Varying levels of support and resources
• Differences in family structure and life circumstances

Even with these pressures, many families continue to adapt, adjust, and build strong patterns of family functioning over time.

Understanding parental stress helps ensure families receive the right support at the right time.

If you are expecting a baby with Spina Bifida or have recently welcomed a child with Spina Bifida, SBANYS offers resources and information to help families navigate the early stages of the journey: https://sbanys.org/expectant-and-new-parents/

Learn more from the Spina Bifida Association’s Family Functioning Guideline:
https://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/blog/family-functioning/