Family quality of life of Chinese families of children with intellectual disabilities

Families of Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Variables Associated with Family Quality of Life

Families of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities often face unique challenges that significantly impact their quality of life. Understanding the predictors of family quality of life (FQOL) is crucial for developing effective support systems and interventions.

AIM

This study investigated the predictors that might influence the perception of families having a member with a disability regarding their quality of life (FQOL).

METHOD

The sample consisted of 320 family members from the Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia.

RESULTS

The overall results showed that participants' satisfaction with FQOL was at a moderate level. Further results indicated that variables associated with severity, type of disability, and the mother's age and education were significant predictors of the FQOL.

CONCLUSIONS

These results emphasize the importance of considering the variables that impact FQOL, such as the severity and type of disability, and mother's related variables, when directing support to families with a member with a disability. The recommendations and limitations of the study were discussed.

Qualitative Protocol of Chinese Parents and Siblings Experiences of Managing Challenging Behaviours of Adult Persons with Intellectual Disability in Hong Kong and Northern China

BACKGROUND

While the literature has highlighted the immense challenges in caring for family members, it is still unclear what the needs of family carers of persons with intellectual disability and challenging behaviours are and what has worked for them. This study aims to examine 60 parents' and siblings' experiences in managing the challenging behaviours of their adult family member with intellectual disability whilst living at home.

METHODS

A qualitative grounded theory approach using semi-structured interviews will be adopted. Purposive sampling will be used to recruit family carers who live with adult persons with intellectual disability and use one community service in Hong Kong. Three special schools for persons with intellectual disability from northern China will be approached.

RESULTS

This study will aim to provide an in-depth understanding of the experiences of family carers and compare the different circumstances they face when managing the challenging behaviours of their adult relatives with intellectual disability in their family home.

CONCLUSIONS

Although this study targets adults with intellectual disability, the findings will provide a point of reference for adolescents and younger persons who exhibit demanding and challenging behaviours and live with their families. Recommendations can guide the development of appropriate strategies to strengthen services for family carers.

Family quality of life of parents of children with intellectual disability: Do psychological stress and parental involvement matter?

Background: The psychological stress of parents and improving family quality of life (FQoL) are continuing concerns for families of children with intellectual disability. We need to identify further ways to reduce their stress and improve their FQoL in China. Method: Examine the interrelations between psychological stress, parental involvement, and FQoL for parents with intellectual disability in mainland China. 467 parents of children with intellectual disability completed instruments measuring variables. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was employed to examine the interrelations. Results: Psychological stress, directly and indirectly, influenced parental involvement in FQoL. Physical and mental response (PMR) and risk awareness (RA) had a positive direct effect on FQoL, and optimistic hope (OH) had a negative effect on FQoL. Conclusions: Psychological stress affects FQoL of parents with children with intellectual disability in complex ways. Policies should be developed to help parents with children with disability decrease stress and develop scientific parental involvement.

Caregiver Burden and Family Quality of Life in Early Intervention: The Role of Mothers and Family Confidence

(1) Background: Because life events when there is a family member with a disability can affect the overall family wellbeing, contributing to enhance family quality of life (FQoL) in the field of early childhood intervention has become a priority. However, it is a distal outcome that needs other short-term outcomes to be addressed, some of them under the potential impact of support services. This study examines the relationships between caregiver burden, family confidence, and FQoL, as well as the influence of child and family variables. (2) Method: A total of 58 families with children in early intervention from four Spanish communities participated. Hierarchical regression was conducted to assess the relevance of each predictor. Also, a mediation was performed to investigate the mediating role of family confidence. (3) Results: The family income impacted FQoL scores, and when burden and confidence were added, it was no longer relevant. Mothers with higher levels of confidence predicted a higher FQoL. Finally, we found a complete mediation of family confidence in the relations between severity and caregiver burden on FQoL. (4) Conclusions: Caregiver burden and family confidence affect FQoL. Building families' confidence contributes to attenuating the impact of burden on FQoL.

Relationship between affiliate stigma and family quality of life among parents of children with autism spectrum disorders: The mediating role of parenting self-efficacy

BACKGROUND

The parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are under great pressure and experience discrimination in their daily lives, which affects their family quality of life (FQOL).

OBJECTIVE

METHODS: A total of 237 parents of children with ASD were recruited in a university-affiliated hospital in Guangzhou, China, from October 2020 to April 2021 by convenience sampling. The Affiliate Stigma Scale, Parenting Sense of Competence Scale and Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale were employed for data collection.

RESULTS

The results showed that affiliate stigma negatively predicts total FQOL and the dimensions of FQOL through both a direct effect and an indirect effect through parenting self-efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that affiliate stigma is an important predictor of FQOL, and interventions to reduce affiliate stigma and strengthen parenting self-efficacy might be effective in improving FQOL in the parents of children with ASD.

Educational inclusion and satisfaction of families of students with intellectual disabilities: a bibliometric study

This bibliometric study scrutinizes the corpus of scientific output within the Web of Science pertaining to familial satisfaction among parents raising children with intellectual disabilities, focusing specifically on the milieu of educational inclusion. The analysis discerns a discernible ascension in scholarly interest in this domain, encapsulating 77 papers emanating from 75 journals, incorporating an aggregate of 3,497 cited references. Our investigation delineated 354 researchers across 39 nations, underscoring the transnational purview of this scholarly endeavor. The United States emerged as the pre-eminent contributor, with Canada and the United Kingdom following suit. Collaboration on an international scale was notably led by the US, with the UK and Australia trailing in tandem. Prominent institutions were identified for their scholarly output; the University of Kansas led with four papers, followed closely by Monash University, University of California Los Angeles, and University of California Riverside, each contributing three papers. Of particular note, the University of Kansas accrued 250 global citations (TGCS). A total of 75 journals were encompassed in this study. The Journal of Intellectual Disability Research emerged as the vanguard with four published papers, closely trailed by Child Care Health and Development and Exceptional Children. Notably, the latter boasted the highest impact factor (JCR = 4.09; Q1). In summation, this review proffers a meticulous and expansive overview of extant scholarship concerning the experiences of families rearing children with disabilities within the inclusive education framework.

The importance of parenting self-efficacy and social support for family quality of life in children newly diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder: A one-year follow-up study

Improving the quality of family life (FQoL) is one of the ultimate goals for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) intervention, and parenting self-efficacy and social support are critical for the well-being of families. However, longitudinal studies focusing on FQoL and its predictors for families of children with ASD are scarce. This study aims to describe the characteristics of FQoL among parents of children newly diagnosed with ASD at two waves (newly diagnosed and diagnosed after one year) and to explore the predictors of FQoL at two waves. It was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Guangzhou, China. A total of 156 parents and their children were included in Wave 1, followed up with 110 in Wave 2 after 1 year. The overall satisfaction of FQoL improved (t = -2.128, p < 0.05), while satisfaction with physical/material well-being decreased (t = 5.972, p < 0.01). Additionally, the overall importance rating of FQoL improved but did not have statistical significance (p > 0.05). Parents with higher parenting self-efficacy (β = 0.716, P < 0.01), and more subjective social support (β = 1.127, p < 0.001) reported higher satisfaction with FQoL, and those with better social support utilization (β = 1.066, p < 0.05) reported higher importance for FQoL. FQoL needs to be improved in the early stage of ASD diagnosis, and parental self-efficacy and social support can serve as the intervention targets.

Developing a new questionnaire of positive contributions to Chinese families by children with autism spectrum disorder

Background and Aims

A literature review of both Eastern and Western literature regarding families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) revealed limited empirical research that examines ASD in China. Furthermore, most research in this area comes from a deficit model and there is a lack of research that comes from a strengths background. No previous study in China has looked at the positive contributions of children with ASD to their families. The present study came from a strengths-based perspective and aimed to develop a new questionnaire to evaluate the positive contributions made to families by children who have ASD in China and are raised by their respective families. It considered the severity level of the children's disorder and the impact this had on the parents. Besides examining the children's impairment levels, the study also examined positive contributions and their relationship with socio-demographic elements such as family income and employment status of the parents, which also seem to be related to the positive contributions experienced by the parents.

Methods

First, based on the literature review, an initial qualitative interview protocol was developed and administered to 10 parents of children with ASD. Then, based on the analyses of the interviews, a quantitative questionnaire was developed to assess the positive contributions of children with ASD to their families. The questionnaire was then administered to 156 parents of children with ASD. The internal structure of the questionnaire was analyzed by factor analysis. The questionnaire's reliability and validity were also examined. The data were then analyzed with multiple correlation comparisons and an independent sample T-test.

Results

Six factors emerged for families of children with ASD. The results showed that the cumulative explanatory variance of the six dimensions of the questionnaire was 65.42%. The Cronbach's coefficient of each dimension was between 0.7 and 0.9, and the combined Cronbach's coefficient of the total questionnaire was 0.945. This study found that the overall average positive contribution to families by children with ASD was 3.32, which is at a medium level, and all six dimensions were at a medium-to-high level. This study also found that the family's monthly income contributed to the overall positive contribution, intimacy and happiness, and gaining more special knowledge through experience dimensions. Furthermore, it was found that moderate severity of ASD, high income, and parental employment were all associated with more positive contributions.

Conclusion

This new questionnaire appears to have good reliability and validity and seems suitable for assessing the positive contributions to families by children with ASD in China.

Implications

The present study may be helpful for the parents of children with ASD and will likely help them focus on the strengths of their children rather than their shortcomings. The study might also benefit counselors and researchers who would be able to use the new questionnaire to evaluate the positive contributions made to families by children who have ASD.

Measuring family outcomes for young autistic children receiving interventions in China: The structure of the Family Outcomes Survey and predicting variables

LAY ABSTRACT

Efforts to measure, document, and monitor family outcomes can be helpful to practitioners in developing and delivering effective and sustainable interventions. Researchers have developed the Family Outcomes Survey, Form A, for measuring the outcomes experienced by families of children in the early intervention/early childhood special education system. Little has been reported on how well the five outcomes on the Family Outcomes Survey, Form A describe the experiences and expectations of families of autistic children in China. We conducted a survey using the Family Outcomes Survey, Form A, Chinese version with 467 caregivers of young autistic children in China. First, the five-outcome structure of the Family Outcomes Survey, Form A seemed to be appropriate for measuring family outcomes of autistic children in China. We also found that the Chinese caregivers of autistic children seemed to give general lower ratings on all five outcomes on the Family Outcomes Survey, Form A as compared to caregivers of children in early intervention/early childhood special education in Western countries like the United States and Australia. Furthermore, caregivers' ratings on the five Family Outcomes Survey, Form A outcomes seemed to be related to their educational attainment, employment status, family income level, and how much time caregivers spent with their autistic child. This study supported the use of the Family Outcomes Survey, Form A, Chinese version with families of autistic children in China. We also discussed how the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic could have impacted the family outcomes as reported by the Chinese caregivers.

Adherence to 24-h movement guidelines among Chinese children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities

BACKGROUND

Meeting 24-h movement guidelines for children and adolescents has been associated with improved health indicators. However, the literature examining adherence to 24-h movement guidelines among Chinese children and adolescents with intellectual disability (ID) remains lacking. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of meeting the 24-h movement guidelines and its socio-demographic correlates for this population.

METHODS

The sample includes 319 Chinese students with ID. Accelerometers are used to measure moderate-to-vigorous physical activity time and sleep duration. Questionnaires are adopted to measure screen time (ST) and demographic factors. Associations among socio-demographic factors, body mass index and 24-h movement are analysed by using multivariable logistic regressions.

RESULTS

The proportions of participants who meet none, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, ST, sleep duration and all three recommendations are 8.15%, 33.54%, 54.23%, 75.55% and 17.55%, respectively. In general, multivariable logistic regression analysis indicates that older participants are less likely to meet the ST guidelines [odds ratio (OR): 0.931; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.869-0.998] and more likely to meet the sleep guidelines (OR: 1.106; 95% CI: 1.016-1.204) than younger individuals. Participants with moderate ID are less likely to meet the sleep guidelines (OR: 0.345; 95% CI: 0.140-0.850) than those with profound ID. Individuals from families with middle-income (OR: 0.434; 95% CI: 0.226-0.836) and high-income (OR: 0.219; 95% CI: 0.080-0.605) levels were less likely to meet the physical activity guidelines than those from low-income families. Furthermore, participants from high-income families were less likely to meet ST (OR: 0.426; 95% CI: 0.187-0.969) and all three movement guidelines (OR: 0.083; 95% CI: 0.010-0.659) than those in the low household income groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions that improve the health-related behaviours of children and adolescents with ID are needed, particularly those that target their increased engagement in physical activity.

The effectiveness of dialectical behavior group therapy on stress, depression, and cognitive emotion regulation in mothers of intellectually disabled students: A randomized clinical trial

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of dialectical behavior group therapy (DBGT) regarding stress, depression, and cognitive emotion regulation in mothers of intellectually disabled students.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This was an experimental study with a pretest-posttest design and a control group. The statistical population included 133 mothers with intellectually disabled children divided into wait-list control and experimental groups. Then, DBGT was performed on the treatment subjects. Data collection tools included the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale, Clinical Global Improvement Scale, Client Satisfaction Questionnaire, and Working Alliance Inventory-Short Form. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

A significant difference in depression, stress, and cognitive emotion regulation was observed between the intervention and control groups (p < 0.001). In the post-test, the adjusted mean of depression and stress in the intervention group showed a significant decrease compared to the control group mothers. Also, cognitive reappraisal, expressive suppression, and total cognitive emotion regulation scores increased following DBGT. Participants in DBGT had a good therapeutic relationship, were satisfied with the treatment, and showed notable improvements.

CONCLUSION

The results indicated that DBGT might affect stress, depression, and cognitive emotion regulation in mothers of intellectually disabled students.

Salud mental de cuidadores de niños con trastornos del neurodesarrollo durante la pandemia

Los cuidadores son especialmente propensos a verse más afectados psicológicamente durante las restricciones sociales y del sistema sanitario generadas por la pandemia por COVID-19. Los cuidadores de niños con trastornos del neurodesarrollo (es decir, autismo, discapacidad intelectual, déficit de atención, hiperactividad, discapacidad motora) tienen un papel más importante que los que acompañan niños sanos. Se diseñó un estudio cuantitativo transversal, utilizando técnicas estadísticas descriptivas, comparativas y correlacionales, para analizar la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud, el malestar emocional y la sobrecarga en cuatro subgrupos de cuidadores, clasificados según el diagnóstico del niño. Se incluyeron 132 cuidadores (86,4% mujeres). En el grupo 1 (discapacidad cognitiva) participaron 28 cuidadores; en el grupo 2 (TDAH) se incluyeron 51; en el grupo 3 (trastorno del espectro autista) participaron 33 cuidadores, y en el grupo 4 (discapacidad motora) se incluyeron 20. Los principales hallazgos de este estudio fueron: 1) alteraciones en el rol físico, el dolor corporal, la salud general y la vitalidad; 2) porcentajes muy bajos de sintomatología de depresión, ansiedad, estrés y sobrecarga; 3) diferencias en el funcionamiento social entre los grupos de discapacidad motora y TDAH, y en el estrés y la sobrecarga entre los grupos de autismo y discapacidad motora, y 4) correlaciones moderadas entre las dimensiones de dolor corporal y rol emocional y la depresión, la ansiedad, el estrés y la sobrecarga. Se concluyó que hay más afectación en variables asociadas con la salud física que con las de la salud mental.

Relationship between parental perceptions, family income and support received with family quality of life in families with a child with an intellectual disability

Research has shown that families raising a child with intellectual disability (ID) face many challenges and need to implement adaptation strategies. Some authors suggest that positive parental perceptions and perceived control could reduce emotional impact and promote family wellbeing. Nevertheless, there are few studies about the relationship between parental perceptions and family quality of life (FQoL) in those families. In this study, we used data from a sample of 251 Spanish parents whose children have ID. Positive perceptions scale and control perceptions scale, Spanish FQoL scale under 18 years-old and a sociodemographic questionnaire were administered to those families. The results of bivariate analysis showed that some dimensions of positive perceptions were related to different areas of FQoL, for example, social inclusion and family accommodation. FQoL was associated with family income and support received. To predict the FQoL level, a multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted. Results indicated that FQoL scores can be predicted by a linear combination of positive perceptions and family income. Practical implications for promoting FQoL in these families are discussed.

Parents' pandemic stress, parental involvement, and family quality of life for children with autism

Background

Research has shown that parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) suffered high levels of stress during the COVID-19 pandemic and faced poor family quality of life (FQOL). However, little is known about the inherent dynamic interaction between pandemic stress and FQOL, especially in the Chinese cultural context.

Aims

This study provides preliminary evidence by examining the relationships among pandemic stress, parental involvement, and FQOL for children with autism in mainland China.

Method

A total of 709 parents of children with autism completed measures of FQOL, parental involvement, and pandemic stress. Structural equation modeling was employed to examine the interrelations among these variables.

Results

Pandemic stress has direct effect and indirect effect mediated by parental involvement on FQOL. Two dimensions of pandemic stress had a direct effect on FQOL (β1 = 0.11; β2 = -0.55) and three dimensions had an indirect effect on FQOL through parental involvement (β1 = -0.097; β2 = 0.257; β3 = 0.114).

Conclusion

Stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic affects family quality of life for children with autism in complex ways. Policies may be developed to enhance parental pragmatic hopefulness in the anti-epidemic victory and alleviate negative physical and mental reactions caused by the pandemic.

Rasch validation of the Arabic version of the beach center family quality of life scale (BCFQOL-AR)

Aim

This study aimed to examine the dimensionality of the BCFQOL-AR using Rasch analysis.

Method

The sample consisted of 320 families having a member with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Rasch analysis was used to validate the dimensionality of the scale. The participants were from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Results

The BCFQOL-AR 25-item scale was multidimensional. Rasch analyses support the unidimensionality of the five subscales. There were no indicators of differential item function for any of the items, regardless of sex or age.

Conclusion

The BCFQOL-AR is a multidimensional scale that measures families with members who are satisfied with their quality of life. Therefore, obtaining a total score at the subscale level is supported and showed that each of the five subscales of the BCFQOL can be used alone. This study partially supports the practices used with other versions of the scale, by providing the statistical base, where means were used at the subscale level in different countries.

Quality of life of Brazilian families who have children with Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome: An exploratory cross-sectional study

This exploratory cross-sectional study aimed to examine the family quality of life (FQoL) among 51 Brazilian families who have children with Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. Data were collected using sociodemographic and clinical data forms, as well as the Beach Center FQoL Scale, a 5-point Likert scale ranging from "very dissatisfied" (1) to "very satisfied" (5). The average score of the overall FQoL was 3.93 ± 0.64. Families' scores were higher for family interaction (4.17 ± 0.76), parenting (4.13 ± 0.61), and disability-related support (4.08 ± 0.76) domains, and lower for the family's emotional well-being (3.31 ± 0.96) and physical/material well-being (3.76 ± 0.82) domains. Family income, attendance at religious services, presence of ocular abnormalities, and aggressive behavior explained 46.2% of the variance in the overall FQoL. In summary, FQoL seems to be anchored in aspects such as family interaction and the care of parents, and be negatively affected by emotional issues, physical, and material limitations. In this context, psychological assistance should be provided to both parents and siblings whenever indicated, for improving emotional well-being and increasing family resilience. Additionally, investments in social policies, services, and human and material resources are needed to improve the physical and material conditions of families, promote better health care, and therefore reduce the family burden.

Relationship between parental mental health and developmental disorders in early childhood

Social intervention with children with disabilities and their families should be understood through the principles of family-centred practice. In Spain, early intervention is understood as interventions aimed at children from 0 to 6 years old and their families. Professionals carry out the reception, assessment and intervention. This study aims to analyse the relationship between mental and physical health, caregivers' levels of anxiety and depression and the child's development during the fostering and assessment phase. The sample is made up of 135 families using child development centres in the Balearic Islands. Four questionnaires were completed: Health-Related Quality of Life SF-12, Anxiety and Depression Scale, Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL 1½-5) and socio-demographic questionnaire. The results show that parents of children with disabilities have higher levels of mental health impairment than physical health impairment. They also score higher on anxiety than on depression. It is worth noting that professional discipline is a variable to be taken into account in relation to parents' perception of their child's developmental improvement. In addition, the association between the developmental subscales, where the more the child is affected, the more the parents' mental health is affected. The same pattern occurs with caregivers' levels of anxiety and depression. In short, we propose a reflection on the application of family-centred practices during interventions, understanding the lack of professional training as a predictor of the quality of early intervention.

Parental self-efficacy and family quality of life in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder in China: The possible mediating role of social support

OBJECTIVE

This study explored the related factors of FQOL in parents of children with ASD and examined whether social support mediates the relationship between parental self-efficacy and FQOL in parents of children with ASD.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Using a cross-sectional design, a total of 260 parents of children with ASD were recruited from September 2019 to November 2020. They completed the Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale, the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale, and the Social Support Rating Scale.

RESULTS

Parental self-efficacy and social support explained approximately 49.5% of the variance in FQOL. After controlling for the confounding influence of parents' education level, parental self-efficacy had a direct effect on FQOL (β = 0.292, SE = 0.108, P < 0.01) and an indirect effect on FQOL (β = 0.165, SE = 0.069, P < 0.01). Effects were mediated through social support, with partial mediating effects accounting for 36.11% of the total effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Both parental self-efficacy and social support are critical to promoting FQOL, and a partial mediating effect of social support was established.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Interventions for families with children with ASD should focus on enhancing parental self-efficacy, followed by a perceived social support and FQOL prompt.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of an Empathy Training on Empathy Skills, Life Satisfaction, and Relationship Quality for Chinese Adolescents and Their Mothers: A Mixed Methods Study

Using a pre- and post-test design, this study examined the changes in empathy skills, life satisfaction, and relationship quality among mainland Chinese adolescents (ages 13–15 years) and their mothers ( N = 108 dyads) following an empathy training intervention. Participants completed a 20-day empathy training, including two in-person group training sessions and daily journals on assigned topics. Participants’ mother-child relationship quality, mother-child conflict, life satisfaction, and empathy skills were measured three times, and selected participants were interviewed to explore their experience of the training. The research procedure followed protocols that were approved by an Institutional Review Board. ANOVAs were used to examine quantitative data and inductive analysis was used for qualitative data. The findings suggest that after the training, both adolescents and mothers reported significant benefits in mother-child relationship quality and life satisfaction. However, participants’ empathy skills (i.e., perspective taking and empathic concern skills) did not change. Possible mechanisms of the observed changes included the empathy skills (e.g., perspective taking skills) learned through the training and the reciprocal nature of positive changes within the mother-child dyad. The current study suggests that empathy training may benefit adolescents and their mothers, both within the relationship and in their general life satisfaction.

Association of child's disability status with father's health outcomes in Japan

Fathers' involvement in childcare has been increasing in recent years. However, very little is known about the health impact on fathers when they are caring for or living with a disabled child. This study aims to understand the psychological distress and subjective health outcomes among fathers living with a disabled child compared to fathers living without a disabled child. Data for this study were obtained from the Comprehensive Survey of the Living Conditions conducted by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in 2016. Multivariable logistic regression was used among 438 disabled-child and father dyads and 27,682 non-disabled-child and father dyads to analyse the association between a child's disability status with father's health outcomes. Fathers of disabled children had a higher prevalence of psychological distress (17% vs. 12%) and poor subjective health status (13% vs. 8%) than fathers of non-disabled children. A large proportion of disabled children were boys (70%) and had disability level 1 (47%). After adjusting for covariates, the odds ratio (OR) of having psychological distress (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.19–1.97) and poor subjective health status (OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.34–2.36) among fathers of disabled children is significantly higher compared to fathers of non-disabled children. Unemployed fathers had a higher odds ratio of psychological distress (OR, 3.07; 95% CI, 2.49–3.79) and poor subjective health status (OR, 4.90; 95% CI, 3.95–6.09) compared to regular working fathers. Fathers of children with disabilities need greater physical and mental health and wellbeing support. They should be provided with additional support not just for their mental but also their subjective wellbeing.

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Fathers of disabled children have higher odds ratio of psychological distress.

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Fathers of disabled children have higher odds ratio of poor subjective health status.

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70% of disabled children were boys and 47% had mildest severity of disability.

Quality of Life and Child's Autism-Specific Difficulties among Malaysian Main Caregivers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Caring for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) negatively impacts quality of life (QoL). This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the factors associated with perceived QoL and how problematic a child's autism-specific difficulties are among the main caregivers of children with ASD who attend specialized preschool programs at the National Autism Society of Malaysia and IDEAS Autism Centre located in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. Utilizing the questions from Parts A and B of the Quality of Life in Autism Questionnaire (QoLA), the data from 116 responders were analyzed using univariate and multivariate linear regression. The mean scores of Part A and Part B were 88.55 ± 17.25 and 56.55 ± 12.35, respectively. The QoL was significantly associated with staying in an apartment/flat -11.37 (95%CI: -19.52, -1.17, p = 0.008), main caregivers attending two training sessions 10.35 (95%CI: 1.17, 19.52, p = 0.028), and more than three training sessions 13.36 (95%CI: 2.01, 24.70, p = 0.022). Main caregiver perceptions of their child's autistic-specific difficulties were significantly associated with not receiving additional help for childcare: no maid -13.54 (95%CI: -24.17, -12.91, p = 0.013); no grandparent -8.65 (95%: -14.33, -2.96, p = 0.003); and main caregivers not having asthma 8.44 (95%CI: 0.02, 16.86, p = 0.049). These identified factors can be considered to inform main caregivers and health care providers on targeted ways to improve the QoL of main caregivers.

The positive psychology constructs of parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Turkey

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine positive psychology constructs (life orientation/optimism, life satisfaction, happiness, psychological well-being and personal well-being) that may predict the family quality of life (FQOL) of parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Turkey.

METHODS

Data were obtained from a convenience sample of 660 parents of children with IDD who responded to six assessments, including a measure of FQOL. An analysis using stepwise multiple regression was conducted to identify predictors of FQOL as rated by parents.

RESULTS

The four constructs including personal well-being, psychological well-being, life orientation (optimism) and life satisfaction significantly explained 60% of the total variance of FQOL. The amount of explained variance, beta scores and correlations suggests that these positive psychology constructs are significant predictors of FQOL of parents of children with IDD in Turkey.

CONCLUSION

The study findings suggested that positive psychological constructs at the individual level were positively related to FQOL at the group level. Personal well-being was the strongest predictor of FOQL of parents who have children with IDD in Turkey. The results also indicated that other constructs including psychological well-being, an optimistic life orientation and life satisfaction contribute significantly to the FQOL of parents of children with IDD.

Variables related to the quality of life of families that have a child with severe to profound intellectual disabilities: A systematic review

Background

Family quality of life (FQoL) of families that have a child with severe to profound intellectual disabilities (SPID) is an important and emerging concept, however, related variables are inconclusive.

Aim

To gain a better understanding of variables related to the FQoL of families that have a child with SPID, variables related to the FQoL of families that have a child with intellectual disabilities (ID) were systematically reviewed.

Methods and procedures

A search strategy was performed in five databases. Critical appraisal tools were employed to evaluate the quality of both quantitative and qualitative studies. Data extraction and synthesis occurred to establish general study characteristics, variables, and theoretical concepts. Variables were categorised into four key concepts of the FQoL: systemic concepts, performance concepts, family-unit concepts and individual-member concepts.

Outcomes and results

A total of 40 studies were retrieved with 98 variables. Quality scores ranged from 7 to 13 (quantitative) and 5 to 13 (qualitative) out of 13 and 14 points, respectively. Five out of the 40 studies (13%) focused on individuals with SPID. Variables related positively or negatively to the FQoL, and were categorised within systemic concepts (n = 3); performance concepts (n = 11); family-unit concepts (n = 26); and individual-member concepts (n = 58).

Conclusions and implications

Several variables were found to be (inter)related to the FQoL of families that have a child with ID. A contrasting picture emerged regarding the impact of a disability in relation to transitional phases. However, studies which include families of children with SPID were minimal, therefore, it remained ambiguous to what extent the identified variables apply to these families.

Social support, resilience, and quality of life for families with children with intellectual disabilities

A family's quality of life (FQOL) has been shown to impact the quality of life for the child with intellectual disabilities. Therefore, it is important to understand the factors that contribute to FQOL to inform the types of interventions and supports that are provided to families. The goal of this study was to determine whether social support and resilience account for variance in Family Quality of Life as reported by mothers of children with intellectual disabilities. Eight-eight Qatari mothers responded to three surveys, the Brief Resilience Scale, the 2-Way Social Support Scale, and the Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale. Regression results indicate that giving and receiving social support accounted for significant variance in FQOL, explaining 62 % of the variance. Resilience was not a significant predictor. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Quality of Life Among Caregivers of Children with Special Needs in Kelantan, Malaysia: The Importance of Psychosocial Mediators

BACKGROUND

Quality of life (QoL) is an important aspect of well-being for the caregivers of children with disability, making it a noteworthy outcome. Little is known about the challenges faced by the caregivers in Asian countries and its association to their QoL. The purpose of this study was to examine a model describing the relationship between sociodemographic and disability-related factors on caregivers' QoL, mediated by the caregivers' psychosocial factors such as perceived stress, coping skills, and social support.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted involving caregivers of children with special needs in Kelantan, a state of Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 383 caregivers completed questionnaires measuring sociodemographics, disability-related factors, psychosocial factors and QoL outcome. Structural equation modelling was performed to examine the relations of the variables in the conceptual model.

RESULTS

In the final model, childcare dependency, caregiver's age, financial support, negative perception of stress and maladaptive coping skills were significant predictors of QoL (R 2 = 0.65). Caregiver's age had a direct effect on QoL, while financial support had an indirect effect on QoL via negative perception of stress. Childcare dependency had direct and indirect effects on QoL via negative perception of stress. Higher perceived stress was associated with lower QoL directly and indirectly via maladaptive coping skills. The final model fitted the data well (root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.046; CFI = 0.923; χ2/df = 1.798).

CONCLUSION

Intervention strategies to improve the QoL of caregivers should target the family unit and take into account the factors of child's disability, demographic and caregiver's psychosocial status.

Stressed parents, happy parents. An assessment of parenting stress and family quality of life in families with a child with Phelan-McDermid syndrome

BACKGROUND

Individuals with Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS) are characterised by phenotypical traits that can be experienced as challenging by their environment. This study assessed parenting stress and Family Quality of Life (FQOL) in parents of individuals with PMS and identified potential contributing variables.

METHOD

Mothers (n = 14) and fathers (n = 13) of individuals with PMS (n = 14; 6 females, 8 males; age 2-37, M = 20, SD = 11.92) completed questionnaires on parenting stress, FQOL, adaptive behaviour and background characteristics.

RESULTS

Mothers and fathers experienced high, similar and related levels of parenting stress and FQOL satisfaction. Parenting stress and FQOL satisfaction were inversely related. High and low ratings were retrieved for subscales measuring feelings of parental role restriction and emotional well-being, respectively. The adaptive skills of the individuals with PMS were related to fathers' parenting stress and FQOL satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical practice is encouraged to be attentive to family dynamics and grasp opportunities to interact with these dynamics.

Cross-cultural perspectives on the meaning of family quality of life: Comparing Korean immigrant families and Canadian families of children with autism spectrum disorder

This study sought to examine and compare conceptualizations and descriptions of family quality of life, from the perspectives of Korean immigrant and Canadian families of children with autism spectrum disorder. Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews from 13 Korean immigrant parents and 12 Canadian parents of children with autism living in BC, Canada was conducted. For Korean immigrant families, three themes were identified: family cohesiveness, value orientation, and acceptance from society. For Canadian families, themes comprising family interactions, support, emotional well-being, individual characteristics, and comparisons to other families were essential elements in defining their family quality of life. Findings highlight how cultural values and differences may translate into different conceptualizations of family quality of life and underscore the need for cross-cultural and diverse perspectives in the study and development of future assessment tools.

A Comparative Study of the Communication Profile of Typically Developing Children and Children with Receptive-Expressive Language Disorders: A Parental Perceptive

Background:

Parental concerns pertaining to communication abilities are essential as it does aid in the identification of the children at risk of physical and mental health problems.

Objectives:

The current study followed a cross sectional study design. The study focussed on developing a questionnaire targeting the parental concerns in Typically developing (TD) children and children with Receptive-Expressive Language Disorders (CWRELD) between 3.7 and 6.6 years of age; to administer the developed questionnaire on parents of TD children and CWRELD; and to analyse and compare the concerns faced by parents of TD children and CWRELD across 3.7 and 6.6 years of age.

Methods:

Fifty-one parents of TD children and 51 parents of CWRELD participated in the study. The study was carried out in three phases- Phase I included the development and validation of questionnaire; Phase II included data collection using the developed questionnaire; and Phase III included performing statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics was done to determine the mean and standard deviation (SD) for both the TD and CWRELD groups.

Results:

The results revealed that the concerns exhibited by parents of CWRELD were significantly higher than that of parents of TD children. Chi square results indicated statistically significant findings across all the domains between TD children and CWRELD (p<0.05).

Conclusion:

The developed questionnaire can be used in clinical settings to help track parental concerns which may aid in the early identification of children at risk of various communication disorders. Additionally, this questionnaire may be considered for monitoring parental concerns throughout the course of the intervention program.

Health-Related Quality of Life and Related Factors among Primary Caregivers of Children with Disabilities in Shanghai, China: A Cross-Sectional Study

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of caregivers of children with disabilities (CWD) is important for both children's rehabilitation and caregivers' life, but the corresponding attention is far from enough in mainland China. Thus, we investigated the HRQOL of 170 caregivers and related factors in Shanghai. The 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) was used to measure HRQOL. The potential factors were collected, including child characteristics, caregiver characteristics, and environmental factors. Univariate analysis and multiple linear regression were performed to identify the key factors that could be intervened. Compared with the general population, caregivers of CWD had a slightly higher score on the physical component summary (PCS, 52.57 ± 8.41), but the score of mental component summary (MCS, 31.58 ± 7.72) was extremely low. Caregiver's illness condition, family size, and household income were significant factors of physical HRQOL. Caregivers with illness and caregivers living in an extended family were associated with higher mental HRQOL. Whereas these two factors had opposite effects on physical HRQOL. This finding indicated poor mental HRQOL among caregivers of CWD in Shanghai and thus requiring urgent attention and intervention. Improving physical fitness, maintaining family integration, and providing financial support should be considered when developing intervention for this population.

Parental Stress and Family Quality of Life: Surveying Family Members of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities

(1) Background. This study assesses the quality of life in families with a member with an intellectual disability using the Family Adjustment and Adaptation Response framework. (2) Methods. The study included 515 Spanish participants whose family members with disabilities range in age from infancy to adulthood. We hypothesized that it is possible to predict parenting stress by paying attention to the meaning families give to themselves and their circumstances while controlling for the impact of other variables such as family capabilities and characteristics of the family member with disabilities. We used the Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale and the section on Exceptional needs of medical and behavioral support from the Supports Intensity Scale, together with other potential predictors. The subscale on parental stress from the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form was utilized as a criterion measure. (3) Results. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that 49% of parental stress was predicted by dysfunctional interaction, difficult behaviors, low emotional wellbeing, poor family interaction, as well as kinship as parents, and the severity of both the medical needs and intellectual disability. (4) Conclusions. The stress experienced by those families is mostly predicted by the meaning they give to themselves and their circumstances. Implications of these findings for service delivery are discussed.

Parental stress, involvement, and family quality of life in mothers and fathers of children with autism spectrum disorder in mainland China: A dyadic analysis

BACKGROUND

Research shows that parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are burdened with childcare responsibilities and at increased risk for elevated stress and poor family quality of life (FQOL). Little is known, however, about the dynamic interactions between mothers' and fathers' perceived parenting stress in relating to parental involvement and FQOL, especially in the Chinese cultural context.

AIMS

This study examined the intrapersonal and interpersonal effects of parenting stress on parental involvement and FQOL for families of children with ASD in mainland China.

METHOD

A total of 210 Chinese couples (total N = 420) completed measures of caregiving involvement, perceived parenting stress, and FQOL. The Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model (APIMeM) was employed to examine the dyadic relationships among the variables.

RESULTS

Both parents' parenting stress was negatively associated with their own involvement and FQOL. Moreover, fathers' parenting stress was indirectly related to mothers' perceptions of FQOL through their involvement in the care of their child with ASD.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings highlight the important roles of fathers' parenting stress and involvement in affecting their own and their partners' satisfaction with FQOL within Chinese families raising a child with ASD.

Self-reported Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) and Anxiety Among Greek School-Age Siblings of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in Relation to Parental Mental Health and Social Support

Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) and anxiety were measured in 233 school-age siblings of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and siblings of Typically Developing (TD) children in Greece. The aim of the study was to investigate for any association between siblings' HRQOL or anxiety and parental mental health, perceived social support as well as major demographic factors. It was found that the disability group (ASD-sibs) showed elevated anxiety levels and poorer HRQOL than controls. In hierarchical multiple regression models, the anxiety of ASD-sibs was significantly associated with parental anxiety independent of parental perceived social support and demographic factors, whereas the HRQOL of ASD-sibs was associated with perceived social support independent of parental physical and mental health and demographic factors.

The Spanish Family Quality of Life Scales under and over 18 Years Old: Psychometric Properties and Families' Perceptions

BACKGROUND

Family quality of life (FQoL), just like individual quality of life, has become a priority outcome in the policies and services received by persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families. Conceptualizing, measuring, and theorizing FQoL has been the object of investigation in recent decades. The goal of this paper is to present a revision of the Spanish Family Quality of Life Scales, the CdVF-E < 18 and the CdVF-E >18, and describe the FQoL of Spanish families with a member with IDD.

METHODS

The sample included a total of 548 families with a member under 18 years old and 657 families with a member over 18. Based on an Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) firstly and a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) secondly, the two scales' psychometric properties were explored.

RESULTS

The CdVF-ER < 18 and the CdVF-ER > 18 comprise 5 dimensions, containing 35 and 32 items, respectively, and they show good validity and reliability. The families obtained a high FQoL score, although some differences exist between the dimensions on which families with children under and over 18 score highest and lowest.

CONCLUSION

The characteristics of the revised scales facilitate their use by professionals, administrations, and services.

Community participation of families of children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities in South Africa

BACKGROUND

Families struggle to support family members with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD), especially in low resourced settings where formal services may not be available.

METHOD

The adapted Family Community Participation survey, measuring perceptions of community participation, was administered to 67 primary caregivers of children with PIMD in Cape Town by community-based rehabilitation workers.

RESULTS

Families were most satisfied going to religious activities and getting together with family and friends. They were most dissatisfied with doing activities together in public and working or volunteering outside the home. Barriers to participation included negative attitudes, insufficient money and unavailability of community activities. Transportation, safety and security were additional challenges.

CONCLUSIONS

Participants advocate awareness raising, community support and provision of services to address barriers to community participation. Families should be consulted on community issues to integrate their specific family needs into the overall needs of the community.

State of the Art of Family Quality of Life in Early Care and Disability: A Systematic Review

Background: In recent years, there has been a growing international interest in family quality of life The objective of this systematic review is to understand and analyze the conceptualization of the quality of life of families with children with disabilities between 0 and 6 years of age, the instruments for their measurement and the most relevant research results. Method: A bibliographic search was conducted in the Web of Science, Scopus and Eric databases of studies published in English and Spanish from 2000 to July 2019 focused on "family quality of life" or "quality of family life" in the disability field. A total of 63 studies were selected from a total of 1119 and analyzed for their theoretical and applied contributions to the field of early care. Results: The functional conceptualization of family quality of life predominates in this area, and a nascent and enriching holistic conceptualization is appreciated. There are three instruments that measure family quality of life in early care, although none of them is based on unified theory of FQoL; none of them focus exclusively on the age range 0-6 nor do they cover all disabilities. Conclusions: The need to deepen the dynamic interaction of family relationships and to understand the ethical requirement that the methods used to approach family quality of life respect the holistic nature of the research is noted.

Mediating effects of family functioning on the relationship between care burden and family quality of life of caregivers of children with intellectual disabilities in Mongolia

Background

Intellectual disabilities are characterized by constant and complex needs for care that place a heavy burden on the families of affected individuals and affect their overall quality of life. We evaluated the mediating effects of family functioning on the relationship between care burden and the family quality of life of caregivers of children with intellectual disabilities in Mongolia.

Methods

Data were collected from a sample of 150 caregivers of children with intellectual disabilities from October 2017 to November 2017. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to examine the mediating effects of family functioning.

Results

Family functioning had a partial mediating effect (β = .702, p < .001) on the relationship between care burden and family quality of life.

Conclusion

Family functioning should be considered when developing a social support intervention to improve family quality of life among caregivers of children with intellectual disabilities.

Family quality of life among Taiwanese children with developmental delay before and after early intervention

BACKGROUND

Although early intervention (EI) practitioners emphasise the importance of individualised family-centred services for families of children with developmental delay (DD), few empirical studies have evaluated whether EI can improve family quality of life (FQOL). This study aimed to investigate the trajectory of FQOL and its predictors among families of children with DD during the first 12 months of EI.

METHODS

This study employed a prospective cohort design. Data were collected using structured questionnaires at the placement meeting before the commencement of EI, as well as 3, 6 and 12 months later. We recruited 142 primary caregivers of children with DD in northern Taiwan from March 2015 to August 2016. FQOL was measured using the Mandarin Chinese version of the Beach Centre FQOL Scale. Family resilience (FR) was measured using the Mandarin Chinese version of the FR Assessment Scale. Other independent variables included socio-demographics, type of DD and EI services. Generalised estimating equations were used to perform multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Family quality of life exhibited a significant quadratic trend in the 12 months surrounding EI. The score was the lowest before EI started (89.85), then increased to peak (94.87) at 6 months and then decreased slightly to 92.34 at 12 months. FR followed a significantly increased linear trend during the period. There were significant and positive correlations between FQOL and FR across all time points. Multivariate analysis showed that employed caregivers, FR, sufficient caregiving manpower and satisfaction with marital quality were positively associated with FQOL. Receiving more types of EI services and having fathers who were not Taiwanese nationals were negatively associated with FQOL.

CONCLUSIONS

Family quality of life and FR increased significantly after receiving EI, revealing the latter's effectiveness. Unemployment, poor marital quality, father being an immigrant, low FR and insufficient family caregiving manpower were associated with lower FQOL, suggesting that these families require more assistance.

Family quality of life: perceptions of parents of children with developmental disabilities in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The goal of the present study was to assess the family quality of life (FQOL) in families with children with developmental disabilities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We examined the FQOL in relation to parents' demographic variables (gender, age, employment status), children's gender and age, type of children's disability (mild and moderate intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder) and parent's depression, anxiety, and stress levels. The sample consisted of 270 parents of children with disabilities; 90 parents of children with autism spectrum disorder, 90 parents of children with mild intellectual disability, and 90 parents of children with moderate intellectual disability. We also included a control group of 90 parents of typically developing children. The results of this study showed that parents of children with autism spectrum disorder and parents of children with moderate intellectual disability had statistically significantly lower FQOL than parents of children with mild intellectual disability and parents of typically developing children. Child's gender had a significant effect on FQOL. Also, depression, anxiety and stress levels significantly affected FQOL, while the parents' gender, age, and employment status did not have a significant effect. Implications of these findings are discussed and some measures on supporting parents are proposed.

Can a combination of mental health services and ADL therapies improve quality of life in families of children with autism spectrum disorder?

PURPOSE

Due to the nature and complexity of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which typically requires coordination among various treatments targeting different areas of need, the entire family is impacted. Family quality of life (FQOL) research has emerged to address the range of adaptation families experience when raising a child with ASD. One factor that is likely to impact FQOL relates to families' service use to support their child's needs. The goal of the present study was to examine the relations between specific domains of FQOL and service usage type among families of children with ASD.

METHODS

A total of 164 caregivers of children diagnosed with ASD were asked which autism services they were currently using and completed the Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale and the Nisonger Child Behaviour Rating Form.

RESULTS

Findings revealed that service usage type significantly predicted families' satisfaction with their emotional well-being, physical/material well-being, and disability-related support. Specifically, families using a combination of mental health services and ADL therapies reported greater satisfaction in these FQOL domains.

CONCLUSION

Present findings underscore that families need access to a sufficiently broad range of child services and supports in order to benefit their FQOL.

Examining the relationships of parental stress, family support and family quality of life: A structural equation modeling approach

BACKGROUND

Research has shown that support for families with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the United States has led to reduce parental stress. To better understand the situation in China, it is crucial to evaluate the current status of family support and provide clear evidence of the impact of family support on positive family outcomes.

AIMS

This study aims to provide initial evidence to examine these interrelations among family support, parental stress, and family quality of life in mainland China.

METHOD

A total of 226 parents of children with ASD completed two questionnaires (Beach Center Family Quality of Life (FQOL) Scale and the Family Support Scale for Chinese Children with ASD) and a demographic family information form. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the interrelation among parental stress, family support, and FQOL.

RESULTS

Parents perceived a moderate to low level of family support and FQOL and high level of parental stress. Family support had a direct positive effect on FQOL (β = .54) and an indirect effect on FQOL through parental stress (β = .06).

CONCLUSION

Resources should be devoted to establishing a family support system that promotes FQOL and buffers parental stress for families of children with ASD.

Facets of Faith: Spirituality, Religiosity, and Parents of Individuals With Intellectual Disability

Although faith has particular prominence in the contemporary American landscape, its intersection with disability and families has received little attention. We examined the spiritual and religious lives of 530 parents and caregivers of family members who have intellectual disability. For most participants, faith had clear relevance and was reflected in their congregational participation, beliefs, practices, and strength of faith. Yet considerable diversity was apparent in the ways in which each was evidenced, which included a modest number of families for whom this was not a salient aspect of their lives. Most participants identified ways in which their spirituality and religious participation contributed to their well-being. However, access to social supports through a local congregation was more muted. We address implications for professionals who support these families and congregations who welcome them. We also offer recommendations for expanding the opportunities and supports parents and caregivers need to flourish in their faith.

Family quality of life: an integrative review on the family of people with disabilities

The objective of this integrative revision is to understand the Brazilian scientific production of the thematic focus on the family quality of life (FQoL) of people with disabilities, as well as the participating population, referential theory, and instruments used in the studies. The data survey was done in the BVS, Scielo, and PubMed databases, and in the Capes' Periodic portal, whose inclusion criteria were articles published from 2007 to 2018, available fully online, in Portuguese or English. These articles portrayed the theme of life quality of families of people with disabilities and articles from research done in Brazilian contexts. The results showed that only three of the 19 selected articles to the study analyzed the theme of FQoL directly including the aspects related to the construct. They also pointed out that WHOQOL-Bref was the most used instrument to evaluate the FQoL (n=11), followed by semi structured interviews (n=5) and that only 10,5%, i.e., two articles used the appropriated definition of the FQoL. The research determined that the thematic research is still in the beginning stage in the scientific national production, large use of individual constructs of life quality, and sparse presence of specific measures instruments to measure FQoL.

Demographic and Parental Factors Associated With Developmental Outcomes in Children With Intellectual Disabilities

The aim of the study was to examine the relation between demographic variables, parental characteristics, and cognitive, language and motor skills development in children with intellectual disabilities (ID). A sample of 89 children with ID, aged 20-47 months, completed the Bayley Scales of Infant Development to measure cognitive, motor, and linguistic development. Parents were administered questionnaires about demographic information and parental anxiety, depression, parental stress, conjugality and familial functioning. Parenting behaviors (affection, responsiveness, encouragement, and teaching) were observed using the Spanish version of PICCOLO (Parenting Interactions with Children: Checklist of Observations Linked to Outcomes). A bivariate analysis showed that cognitive development in infants was significantly related to the mother's and father's responsiveness, and to the father's teaching scores. Infant language development was related to a variety of maternal factors (educational level, anxiety, depression, maternal responsiveness) and to the father's teaching scores. None of the factors were statistically related to child motor development. A multivariate regression analysis indicated that children's cognitive development can be predicted by a linear combination of maternal responsiveness and paternal teaching scores. Language development can be predicted by a linear combination of maternal anxiety and responsiveness, and paternal teaching scores. The present study provides evidence of the importance of paternal involvement for cognitive and language development in children with intellectual disabilities, and contributes to the increasing literature about fathering. Gaining knowledge about parental contributions to children's development is relevant for improving positive parenting in early intervention programs.

Family Quality of Life and Its Correlates Among Parents of Children and Adults With Intellectual Disability

All families, including those impacted by disability, desire and deserve opportunities for high quality of life. This study focused on family quality of life (FQOL) among 529 parents with children or adults with intellectual disability (ID). Parents reported moderate to high levels of FQOL satisfaction, with some variability across domains. We conducted hierarchical linear regression analyses to examine associations among FQOL and: (1) individual and family demographic factors, (2) religiosity/spirituality factors, and (3) relationship factors. Findings highlighted the significance of both informal (i.e., family, friends) and formal (i.e., professional) social relationships, as well as the relevance of spirituality/religiosity, as factors contributing to FQOL. We offer recommendations for research and practice aimed at enhancing FQOL of parents with children and adults who have ID.

Impact of supports and partnership on family quality of life

BACKGROUND

In recent decades, Family Quality of Life (FQOL) has emerged as a decisive construct, both to improve the living conditions of the families of people with disabilities and to assess the results on the services and supports that they receive. The aim of this research is to determine the perception of the families regarding their support needs, the quality of their partnerships with professionals, and their FQOL and then identify to what extent the supports of early childhood intervention centers have a positive impact on the families' FQOL while exploring whether the family-professional partnership has become a fundamental intervening factor of FQOL.

METHOD

The participants were 202 families with children aged 0-6 with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We used the structural equation model to analyze the influence that the adequacy of the supports and the partnerships exerted on FQOL.

RESULTS

The results indicate that the families have language and speech support needs for their children and information needs for themselves, and that they are mostly satisfied with their partnerships with the professionals and their FQOL. Our results also indicate that their degree of satisfaction with the support was a good predictor of FQOL and their ratings of partnership quality was a key factor interceding on this effect.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides professionals and public institutions with guidance when designing plans to improve early childhood intervention centers so the quality of life of these families and the progress of children with disabilities living in Spain become progressively stronger.

Qualidade de Vida Familiar na Deficiência Intelectual: Revisão Sistemática de Estudos

Resumo A qualidade de vida familiar (QdVF) em famílias de pessoas com deficiência intelectual (DI) tem interessado investigadores, sugerindo potencialidades em termos de avaliação e intervenção. O presente artigo realizou uma revisão sistemática dos estudos empíricos que analisam a QdVF em famílias de pessoas com DI. Efetuou-se uma pesquisa bibliográfica num portal de bases de dados e recorreu-se a critérios de inclusão previamente definidos. Do total de 32 estudos selecionados, 15 recorreram ao instrumento FQOLS-2006, focando-se na análise das dimensões e domínios da mesma; 11 ao Beach Center FQOL Survey, relacionando o constructo com diversas variáveis; e seis a outras formas de avaliação, essencialmente qualitativas. Assim, a QdVF mostra-se pertinente para compreender e intervir com famílias de pessoas com DI.

A qualitative study about quality of life in Brazilian families with children who have severe or profound intellectual disability

BACKGROUND

This study investigated the psychocultural perspectives concerning family quality of life among Brazilian families with children who have severe or profound intellectual disability.

METHODS

Individual in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted with 15 mothers, selected by convenience, were analysed using a categorical thematic analysis technique. The themes were examined to allow for an interpretative approach of the results.

RESULTS

Mothers revealed that their children with disabilities had insufficient access to services and support related to health care, transportation and recreation. Family quality of life was negatively affected by financial restrictions and social interaction difficulties. Caring for a child with disabilities seemed to be centred on the mother and religious coping appeared as a common psychological adjustment strategy.

CONCLUSIONS

Improving emotional and psychological cares, as well as social and practical measures comprising income support and access to appropriate health care, were inferred to be the mothers' priorities to improve their families' quality of life.

A Global Family Quality of Life Scale: Preliminary psychometric evidence

PURPOSE

Psychometric data are reported for a new Global Family Quality of Life Scale (G-FQOLS) (3-items) evaluating family members, parents and adolescent/young adults (AYA).

METHODS

Families (N= 209) were interviewed in a study addressing secondary conditions and adaptation in families of AYA with and without spina bifida (SB). Principal component factor analysis with Varimax rotation, Cronbach alpha, and Intraclass correlation (ICC) for parent-AYA agreement of FQOL assessment were conducted.

RESULTS

A single factor with an eigenvalue greater than 1 was identified. Factor loadings were 0.79-0.94. Internal reliabilities were strong (α= 0.86-0.90). ICC coefficients between parent and AYA ratings were 0.38-0.48.

CONCLUSION

This study provides preliminary support for the G-FQOLS. This global appraisal of Family Quality of Life (FQOL) reflects a participant's personal weighting of domains important to him/her.

[Impact of moderate intellectual disability on the dynamics and quality of family life: a qualitative clinical study]

This qualitative clinical study investigated the impact of moderate intellectual disability on family dynamics and quality of life. The data were collected using individual interviews with 15 mothers of children with intellectual disabilities, as a convenience sample, and examined with categorical thematic content analysis. The results were discussed using a comprehensive and interpretative approach. Analysis of the interviews showed that care for children with intellectual disabilities is centered on the mother, contributing to the change in family relations. Religious coping appeared as a common strategy for adjusting. Children with intellectual disabilities had less access to services and support than they needed in the areas of health, education, and leisure. Financial constraints and difficulties in community living had a negative impact on the quality of family life. Emotional and psychological support for all the family members, and practical and social support, including income distribution and access to adequate services, proved essential for the well-being of children with intellectual disabilities and their families.