Search results for ‘Author:"zuna nina i."’ Sort:
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Parental perceptions and satisfaction with family services in families of children with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities
- Authors:
- ZUNA Nina I., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 41(3), 2016, pp.233-242.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Background: This paper reports results from a study examining disability-related services at the family level. Method: The authors used descriptive statistics to examine (a) the types of disability-related family services families used, (b) how well family services met their needs, (c) the types of family services needed but not received, and (d) families’ perceptions of their knowledge of disability-related family services. Results: Families were mostly satisfied with the services they received; however, about 25% of the sample indicated that a few family services, such as respite, sibling support groups, and parent support groups, were needed but not received. Families were also slightly less satisfied with their knowledge of family services as compared to their ability to request services. Conclusions: Families identified specific services to meet the needs of all of their family members; however, their family support needs are not always being adequately addressed by current programmes. Initial assessments should be used to match family services to family needs, and follow-up consultations would help to ensure that the services received result in improved family quality of life. (Edited publisher abstract)
Family quality of life: moving from measurement to application
- Authors:
- ZUNA Nina I., TURNBULL Ann, SUMMERS Jean Ann
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 6(1), March 2009, pp.25-31.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Thus, the authors propose a theory of family quality of life (FQoL) designed to explain how various concepts - systems, performance, individuals, and family units - influence variations in FQoL. In defining each of the concepts, they describe the theory's application within the context of a family vignette, illustrating how professionals might apply theoretical propositions to their practice. In their application, they stress that the application of the FQoL theory they presented is not an end but rather a developmental stage that leads to further refinement of the FQoL theory. The application and development of this theory is a reciprocal process among researchers, practitioners, and families. Further, their FQoL theoretical model can serve to enable practitioners to examine which family, ecological, and programmatic variables are amenable to change to positively impact FQoL. Given this, they assert that FQoL is not a static concept but, instead, ebbs and flows during the course of raising a child with a disability. They call for further collaborative work among workers to continually improve the FQoL theory and to successfully implement it in practice.