Empowerment in Polish fathers of children with autism and Down syndrome: the role of social support and coping with stress - a preliminary report

Adaptation at the Family Level in Families of Individuals With Down Syndrome: A Scoping Review

Down syndrome (DS) is a chromosomal disorder associated with intellectual and physical disabilities and has historically been viewed by health care providers through a negative lens when considering the effect the condition has on the individual, family, and community. The purpose of this scoping review was to provide an overview of recent research concerning adaptation in families of individuals with DS with a focus on family adaptation rather than individual or dyadic adaptation. Three literature indexes were searched from 2017 to 2022, with 41 articles included. Foci of the studies included strength/resilience, stress/coping, and negative/challenge. Thirteen studies reported using a family framework. Multiple methodological approaches and family measures were used in the studies and are outlined. Findings from this review show there has been a shift in focus when researching families of individuals with DS from a negative and challenging experience to one of strength and resilience.

The Social Process of Caregiving in Fathers: A Grounded Theory Study

The United Nation's Agenda 2030 recognizes unpaid domestic caregiving in the home as the largest barrier to gender equality. However, little research has been conducted to understanding the social process through which fathers engage in caregiving. The purpose of this constructivist grounded theory study was to explore the social process of caregiving in fathers. Recruited from multiple community settings, 35 fathers participated in intensive interviews with the investigator. The initial interview guide was developed through Swanson's Theory of Caring and modified as themes emerged. Data analysis occurred using an iterative categorization matrix for organization and clarity. This study proposed the action-based Caregiving in Fathers Theory. The 3 main themes of the theory center on the following: (1) reconciling the past through "Reinventing the Kitchen Table"; (2) managing the present through "Creating a Home"; and (3) preparing for the future through "Discovering Empowerment." For fathers, gender equality in society begins with accepting fathers as proficient, competent, and primary caregivers. This theory reveals the motivations of fathers in participating in unpaid domestic caregiving in the home.

Problem-solving and coping in family adaptation of children with Down Syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To analyze problem-solving and coping strategies of parents of children with Down Syndrome in family adaptation.

METHOD

This is a qualitative research that used the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment, and Adaptation. Participants were mothers and/or fathers from 40 families of children aged 1 to 7 years diagnosed with DS. Directed content analysis was performed, supported by software and considering a code dictionary.

RESULTS

Problem-solving and coping proved to be a set of actions, behaviors, efforts, and communications that contributed to family adaptation and favored balance between the demands imposed by Down Syndrome and the acquisition of resources by the family.

CONCLUSION

In the first moment, which corresponds to the time of news or diagnosis of the syndrome and the first days after birth, internal and external resources, which represent coping, are developed to accept and refocus ideas and feelings towards Down Syndrome. Over time these resources have an effect and cause changes in family functioning patterns and in the relationship of these families with the outside world, as they seek child development.

The relationship between the Family Empowerment Scale and Gross Motor Function Measure-66 in Young Children with cerebral palsy

BACKGROUND

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common cause of motor disability in children. A concept to consider in order to meet the needs of children with CP and their families is family empowerment. Family empowerment can be defined as the process by which families acquire the skills, knowledge and resources to allow them to gain control and improve the quality of their lives. The relationship between gross motor function and family empowerment may be important because children with CP vary so widely in their ability to perform motor skills, which may affect their family's levels of empowerment. The purpose of this research was to investigate the relationship between the Family Empowerment Scale (FES) and Gross Motor Function Measure-66 (GMFM-66) in children with CP who were under 3 years of age.

METHODS

Forty-one children with a mean age of 23.8 months participated in this study. The FES was completed by the participants' parents or regular caregivers and includes a total score and subscales of empowerment in the family, in service situations and in community/political environments. The GMFM-66 was administered by a physical therapist and consists of a total score of gross motor function (GMFM-66) and subscores for Dimension B (sitting), Dimension C (crawling and kneeling), Dimension D (standing) and Dimension E (walking, running and jumping).

RESULTS

Statistically significant positive correlations were found between the FES total and GMFM (total score and Dimensions B-E) with coefficients varying from 0.43-0.62. Significant relationships were also found between most subscales of the FES and the GMFM-66.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides evidence of a relationship between family empowerment and gross motor function in young children with CP and suggests that caregivers of children with higher gross motor function report higher levels of self-efficacy.

Perceived discrimination and self-esteem among family caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and children with intellectual disabilities (ID) in Spain: The mediational role of affiliate stigma and social support

BACKGROUND

People with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and people with intellectual disabilities (ID) are stigmatized, and therefore discriminated against worldwide and, on many occasions, this stigma and discrimination are expanded to include their family caregivers. The main objective of this research was to examine the consequences of perceived discrimination on family caregivers of children with ASD and children with ID.

METHODS

The sample consisted of 109 Spanish caregivers of children with ASD and 83 caregivers of children with ID. They completed four questionnaires: Multidimensional Perceived Discrimination Scale, Affiliate Stigma Scale, Social Support Questionnaire and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale.

RESULTS

Using path analysis, we found support for a model in which personal discrimination perceived by caregivers was positively associated with affiliate stigma, which, in turn, was negatively related to caregivers' self-esteem. The model also shows the total mediational role of affiliate stigma in the association between perceived discrimination and self-esteem and the partial mediational role that social support plays in the association between perceived discrimination and caregivers' self-esteem.

CONCLUSIONS

Caregivers' perceived discrimination negatively influences caregivers' self-esteem, but this relationship is mediated by both affiliate stigma (totally) and social support (partially). These results have theoretical and practical implications and may contribute to improving the quality of life of parents of children with ASD and ID that in turn would result in an improvement of the quality of life of their children.