This paper briefly reviews the two assumptions involved in the use of a stress management approach with parents of the developmentally disabled, i.e., that many parents are subject to high stress and that stress interferes with the person's functioning. A discussion of possible stressors and possible effects of stress are outlined, e.g., health problems, increased stress levels, and interpersonal behavior problems. Models of the circular events-stress chain and inappropriate response patterns are presented in diagrammatic form to further illustrate the effects of stress. A stress management program is presented along with self-report data from the follow-up questionnaire filled out by the group participants and the actual survey instrument. (Author/JAC)