A Qualitative Study of the Spiritual Aspects of Parenting a Child with Down Syndrome

Religious Coping in Parents of Children with Down Syndrome: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Having a child with Down syndrome (DS) is stressful for families. Social, physical, economic and emotional difficulties are the most challenging stressors for parents of children with DS. Therefore, parents who have children with DS have used various types of coping strategies. This systematic review investigates religious coping in parents of children with DS to synthesize what is known of the literature regarding religious coping among parents of children with DS. Pubmed and Scopus databases were searched with no restriction on language and the year of publication. Additionally, manual searches of the retrieved articles' references were performed. Forty-four original studies published between 2000 and 2023 were included in the review. No study on the subject was found in either Pubmed or Scopus before 2000. Most studies were conducted in USA 7 (15.9%), Egypt 7 (15.9%), and Türkiye 6 (13.6%). In the studies, the total number of participants was 4266, range between 8 and 530 (median 55.5). The ethnic origins of the participants were very diverse and the studies included participants from many cultures around the world. Based on the studies, we identified seven themes that represented the main stressors encountered by parents/caregivers of children with DS: "information deficits," "child caregiving burdens," "familial difficulties," "financial difficulties," "challenges related to social and professional support," "society's misconceptions," and "worries about the future." The most commonly (n = 12, [27.2%]) used coping scale was coping orientation to problems experienced. Religious coping was the coping strategy most frequently used by participants in 36 (81.8%) studies. Religion, spirituality, and belief in Allah (God) were of central importance for most participants in most of the studies. Most parents reported that belief in Allah (God) encouraged them to accept the diagnosis of DS and feel better and become stronger; provided improvements in the lives of families and the necessary resources to face their difficulties; played a fundamental role in adaptation with the conditions of their children with DS; brought them peace of mind and a sense of hope; and motivated them to keep on moving forward. In conclusion, religion plays an important role in the lives of most parents of children with DS. Religious coping has been used by parents of children with DS in many cultures around the world, regardless of religion, race, or ethnicity. Belief in Allah (God), belief in fate and belief in the afterlife, provided physical, mental and psychosocial relief for most parents of children with DS.

Exploring the Link Between Mothers' Spiritual Well-Being and Positive Parenting in the Turkish Context: The Role of Mindful Parenting

This cross-sectional study examined the role of mindful parenting in the association between spiritual well-being and positive parenting behaviors among mothers of typically developing children. The sample comprised 381 mothers of children aged 4-17 years. We collected the data using the Three-Factor Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS-3), the Mindfulness in Parenting Questionnaire (MIPQ), and the Multidimensional Assessment of Parenting Scale (MAPS). We tailored our analysis through the subscales of the SWBS-3 (transcendence, harmony with nature, and anomie) to control the contamination effects of other psychological constructs (e.g., meaning and connectedness) on the measurement of spiritual well-being. The correlation analysis yielded significant results, indicating a relationship between the SWBS-3 subscales and mothers' mindful parenting skills (i.e., being in the moment with the child and mindful discipline) and positive parenting practices. Moreover, the mediating effect analysis revealed that mindful parenting skills assumed diverse roles in the relationship between transcendence, harmony with nature, and anomie and positive parenting practices. The findings were then addressed in the context of the existing literature.

Remote Parenting in Families Experiencing, or at Risk of, Homelessness: A Study Based on Grounded Theory

The situation/risk of family homelessness presents multiple interrelated issues. It has considerable negative consequences, namely the deterioration of the family members' health and well-being, and alterations in the family's dynamics, with parents sometimes being separated from their children. The aim of this research was to understand how parenting takes place in families experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. The conducted study falls within the qualitative paradigm, using Strauss and Corbin's version of the Grounded Theory methodology. Three main categories emerged, supported by all the participating families: "Meaning of Parenthood", "Key Events", and "Transition Circumstances". These categories were translated into facilitating/inhibiting factors, within the following dimensions: "Individual", "Family", and "Society". We were able to conclude that, in the population under study, parenting is restricted, being mostly exerted in a remote manner. Furthermore, it takes on different forms, depending on the specific homelessness situation/risk. In families at risk of homelessness, we identified "Remote Parenting with Maintained Parental Authority", as well as "Restricted Parenting", when the children still lived with their parents. On the other hand, in families experiencing homelessness, we identified "Remote Parenting with Maintained Parental Authority", "Unilateral Remote Parenting", "Interrupted Parenting", and the "Total Disruption of Parenting".

Family adaptation in families of individuals with Down syndrome from 12 countries

Our current understanding of adaptation in families of individuals with Down syndrome (DS) is based primarily on findings from studies focused on participants from a single country. Guided by the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment, and Adaptation, the purpose of this cross-country investigation, which is part of a larger, mixed methods study, was twofold: (1) to compare family adaptation in 12 countries, and (2) to examine the relationships between family variables and family adaptation. The focus of this study is data collected in the 12 countries where at least 30 parents completed the survey. Descriptive statistics were generated, and mean family adaptation was modeled in terms of each predictor independently, controlling for an effect on covariates. A parsimonious composite model for mean family adaptation was adaptively generated. While there were cross-country differences, standardized family adaptation mean scores fell within the average range for all 12 countries. Key components of the guiding framework (i.e., family demands, family appraisal, family resources, and family problem-solving communication) were important predictors of family adaptation. More cross-country studies, as well as longitudinal studies, are needed to fully understand how culture and social determinants of health influence family adaptation in families of individuals with DS.

Fatigue among Greek Parents of Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder: The Roles of Spirituality and Social Support

The high demands of caring for and raising a child with autism spectrum disorder on a daily basis may lead parents to physical and mental fatigue. This study aimed to assess the effect of social support and spirituality on the fatigue of parents with children with autistic spectrum disorder. A cross-sectional study with a convenience sample was conducted in Schools of Special Education in Attica (Greece). The sample consisted of 123 parents who completed The Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy Spiritual Well-Being Scale (FACIT Sp-12) to measure the levels of fatigue, social support, and spirituality, respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to investigate the relationship between the quantitative variables. To study the effect of social support and spirituality on fatigue, multivariable linear regression was applied. The mean age was 47.3 years old, 81.3% were women, and 38.9% stated "Close/Very close faith toward God". Higher levels of total MSPSS and FACIT Sp-12 were associated with lower total FAS (r = -0.50, p < 0.001 and r = -0.49, p < 0.001, respectively). Social support and spirituality were significant predictors of fatigue.

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.