Parental stress, quality of life, and behavioral alterations in children with dyslexia

Abstract

Introduction: Dyslexia is a learning disorder that, in addition to affecting reading skills, has a significant impact on emotional, social, and family well-being. Despite advances in understanding the disorder, its influence on parental stress and children’s quality of life remains an underexplored area. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze differences in parental stress, quality of life, and behavioral profiles between children with dyslexia and those with typical development, as well as to assess possible relationships between these factors. Method: A total of 100 children (50 diagnosed with dyslexia and 50 with typical development), aged between 8 and 10 years, participated in the study along with their caregivers. Variables were measured using the PSI-SF (parental stress), Kiddo-KINDL (quality of life), and BASC-3 (behavior) instruments, complemented by descriptive statistical analyses, t-tests, and a mediation model. Results: Caregivers of children with dyslexia exhibited significantly higher levels of stress (p < .001) across all evaluated dimensions, with pronounced effects in the subscales of emotional distress and perceived difficulties in the child. Children with dyslexia showed reduced quality of life, particularly in areas such as self-esteem and social relationships, with statistically significant differences (p < .001). Additionally, they exhibited more behavioral problems, especially in aggression and anxiety. However, mediation analyses did not identify problematic behaviors as direct mediators between dyslexia diagnosis and parental stress. Conclusions: The findings highlight how dyslexia affects both children and their families, exerting a multidimensional impact. This study underscores the importance of continued research into the interactions between emotional, social, and family factors to optimize support for this population.