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Is parental coping associated with the level of function in children with physical disabilities?
- Authors:
- CAVALLO S., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Child: Care, Health and Development, 35(1), January 2009, pp.33-40.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The objectives of this study are: (1) to describe parental coping in a cohort of children with physical disabilities (PDs); (2) to determine whether the child's level of function is associated with parental coping; and (3) to explore whether socio-demographic factors such as child's age, maternal education and family structure are associated with parental coping. Parents of 150 children with PDs were interviewed after being referred to community rehabilitation services in a Canadian hospital. They answered the following: the Coping Health Inventory for Parents, the Functional Independence Measure for children (WeeFIM) and a study questionnaire that addressed socio-demographic characteristics. Multiple linear regression models were used to determine the association between level of function and other factors and parental coping. Parental coping scores, measured by the Coping Health Inventory for Parents, indicated that the parents in the study found seeking out social support from community resources useful. Parents of children with moderate to severe dysfunction in mobility (WeeFIM) found coping behaviours related to communicating with the healthcare professionals regarding their child's condition useful. Greater perceived usefulness of maintaining social support through community resources was associated with lower maternal education, working parents and two-parent families. These findings underscore the importance of helping parents of children with PDs maintain social support. It is important to help parents understand their child's medical situation, especially those whose children have more severe mobility dysfunction.
Social support and intellectual disabilities: a comparison between social networks of adults with intellectual disability and those with physical disability
- Authors:
- LIPPOLD T., BURNS J.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 53(5), May 2009, pp.463-473.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Social support has been identified as a major protective factor in preventing mental health problems and also as a major contributor to quality of life. People with intellectual disabilities (ID) have been identified as having limited social support structures. Interventions have been focused on promoting their social presence and integration. However, previous studies have shown that this does not always lead to the formation of social relationships. To date few studies have looked at how having an ID leads to impoverished social networks. This study aimed to do this by contrasting the social relationships of people with physical disabilities (PD) and people with ID. Two groups of participants were recruited; 30 people with mild ID and 17 people with PD. Social and functional support networks were assessed, in addition to life experiences. Between and within group differences were then explored statistically. Adults with ID had more restricted social networks than PD, despite being involved in more activities. Social support for adults with ID was mainly provided by family and carers and few relationships with non-disabled people were identified. In contrast adults with PD had larger social networks than had been reported in the mainstream literature and had a balance of relationships with disabled and non-disabled people. The results suggest that there are additional processes attached to having an ID, which lead to continued impoverished lifestyles. The findings also endorse other work that suggests being physically integrated and engaged in a wide range of activities does not guarantee good social and emotional support.