Search results for ‘Subject term:"parents with learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Psychological well-being and social support for parents with intellectual disabilities: risk factors and interventions
- Authors:
- DARBYSHIRE Laura Valerie, KROESE Biza Stenfert
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 9(1), March 2012, pp.40-52.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The pressure of becoming a parent for a person with intellectual disabilities (ID) may magnify the risks of social isolation and poor psychological well-being. This review examined the psychological well-being and social support among parents with ID, addressing three aims that explore the importance of these two factors in their lives. A search of electronic databases uncovered eight studies which met the inclusion criteria. Findings revealed that parents with ID experience poorer psychological well-being than the general parenting population and a relationship was found between psychological well-being and social support. Two of the intervention studies found evidence that by improving social support, psychological well-being was improved. The relationship between social support and parenting ability was supported by findings of a positive relationship between satisfaction with social support and positive maternal reactions. A number of recommendations for further research are suggested to more fully explore the relationship between psychological well-being and social support.
When parents have learning difficulties
- Author:
- RICHARDSON Nicky
- Journal article citation:
- Nursing Times, 26.4.01, 2001, p.40.
- Publisher:
- Nursing Times
Explains how, with positive support, people with learning difficulties can make capable parents.
What is the effect on a child of having a parent with learning disability?
- Author:
- HEWITT Olivia
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 12(2), April 2007, pp.33-44.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This article will first look at the literature on factors affecting the ability of parents with a learning disability to care for their children adequately. The effects of having a parent with a learning disability will then be considered, and finally the implications for clinical practice will be outlined.
Holding the baby
- Author:
- GEORGE Mike
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 29.10.98, 1998, pp.34-35.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Is a woman with learning and emotional difficulties capable of looking after her child? The author discusses the problem of the delicate choice between the rights of the mother and the rights of the child.
Predicting the unpredictable? Identifying high-risk versus low-risk parents with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- MCGAW Sue, SCULLY Tamara, PRITCHARD Colin
- Journal article citation:
- Child Abuse and Neglect, 34(9), September 2010, pp.699-710.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
This study with parents with intellectual disabilities (IDs) aimed to: investigate the adequacy of parenting skills and the need for family support as viewed from the parent’s, referring professional’s, and a parenting service’s perspective; identify demographic variables and parenting factors that differentiate between high-risk and low-risk parenting competency; and investigate the impact of partner relationships on parental competency and risk status. The retrospective study was based on secondary data analysis of data gathered from 101 parents with IDs and 172 of their children, all of whom had been referred to a specialist parenting service (SPS) in Cornwall over a 5 year period. Most of the parents were mothers (n=97); 33 parents were single. Parent’s perception of needs was found to be significantly lower than that identified by professionals and the SPS. IQ level of the main parent, relationship status, parental age, employment, amenities, valued support and parent’s perception of need were not contributing factors distinguishing high-risk from low-risk parents. High-risk parenting was associated with parental reports of childhood trauma (emotional abuse and physical neglect in particular), parent’s having additional special needs in addition to their IDs, or parents who were raising a child with special needs. Other high risk factors related to the male partners of mothers with IDs, many of whom did not have IDs and/or whose histories included anti-social behaviours or criminality.
A family at risk: multiple perspectives on parenting and child protection
- Authors:
- BOOTH Wendy, BOOTH Tim
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 32(1), March 2004, pp.9-15.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Parents with learning difficulties face a high risk of losing their children. This article looks at the case of one family. Using material drawn from court files, social worker statements, expert reports and personal interviews, collected as part of an ongoing research study funded by the Nuffield Foundation, it documents the conflicting accounts of the case.
Too dependent on services
- Authors:
- WALZ Linda, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 4.10.01, 2001, pp.44-45.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Considers the case of a woman with learning difficulties unable to accept parenting responsibilities.
Parental disability and the threat of child removal
- Authors:
- McCONNELL David, LLEWELLYN Gwynnyth
- Journal article citation:
- Family Matters, 51, Summer 1998, pp.33-36.
- Publisher:
- Australian Institute of Family Studies
Families headed by parents with disabilities may be seriously disadvantaged as a consequence of an uneven spread of expertise among service providers. This article discusses the situation of parents with intellectual disability in care and protection proceedings in Australia.
A register study of life events in young adults born to mothers with mild intellectual disability
- Authors:
- LINDBLAD Ida, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 18(4), 2014, pp.351-363.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
Background: In this study young adults, born to mothers with intellectual disability (ID), were targeted for psychosocial/life event follow-up. The whole group originally comprised 42 individuals but 3 had died and 1 had moved abroad. The remaining 38 were approached and 10 consented to participate in an interview study. However, of the remaining 28, it was not possible to establish contact with 21 who were instead searched for in various official registers. Results: 18 individuals in the study group had been in contact with different authorities and clinics. Of the 21 individuals, 10 had contact with social services since childhood and 4 of these had been taken into care (foster family) and 6 had had contact families during childhood. One individual had been taken into a treatment centre and one grew up mainly with the father. Altogether 12 (57%) of 21 individuals did not grow up full-time with their biological mother. Twelve (57%) had major neurodevelopmental/neuropsychiatric conditions, including five with ID and seven with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Four individuals were registered within the Prison and Probation Service due to various types of crimes. Conclusion: Individuals born to mothers with ID in the study group were at high risk of adverse experiences and negative outcomes, such as increased childhood mortality, a relatively large proportion of children taken into care, high rates of ID and ADHD in the children and of criminality in young adulthood. Taken together with the results obtained in an in-depth interview study of those in the originally targeted sample with whom it was possible to obtain contact, the present findings suggest that it will be important to provide early support and longitudinal developmental follow-up in groups of children growing up with a mother with ID. Children in this situation appear to be at a number of risks, probably related both to hereditary factors and to social disadvantage. (Edited publisher abstract)
Parental intellectual disability and child protection: key issues
- Authors:
- LAMONT Alister, BROMFIELD Leah
- Publisher:
- Australian Institute of Family Studies. National Child Protection Clearinghouse
- Publication year:
- 2009
- Pagination:
- 19p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Melbourne, VIC
A high proportion of families with a parent with an intellectual disability will come to the attention of child protection and support agencies due to allegations that a child has been or is at risk of abuse or neglect. However, prejudice and lack of understanding have contributed to these heightened rates. This paper, by the Australian Institute of Family Studies National Child Protection Clearinghouse, discusses the key issues associated with parental intellectual disability and child protection. These include definitions of intellectual disability; whether there is a link between parental competence and intellectual disability; risk factors for abuse and neglect and whether or not parents with an intellectual disability experience higher rates of these problems; and the role of support services in assisting parents with intellectual disability. The lack of research in this area is highlighted. The authors conclude that services for parents with intellectual disabilities are improving. However, work is still needed in identifying, preventing and compensating for factors that promote the reoccurrence of child development and parental problems in families with a parent with an intellectual disability. Further research is needed that focuses on how the child protection system can better accommodate the needs of these parents so that their children are provided with the best care and protection. Particular attention should be directed at making assessments, establishing case plans and agreed parent actions, and identifying appropriate support systems and interventions for parents with intellectual disabilities involved in the child protection system.