A qualitative investigation of changes in the belief systems of families of children with autism or Down syndrome
- 29 March 2006
- journal article
- Published by Wiley in Child: Care, Health and Development
- Vol. 32 (3), 353-369
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2214.2006.00571.x
Abstract
Background There have been few reports of the world views, values and priorities of families of children with autism or Down syndrome, despite the fact that family belief systems are considered to be among the most important factors affecting the adaptation and resilience of families. Methods Transcripts from three focus groups involving 19 key informants (15 parents of children with autism or Down syndrome, and 4 service providers) were analysed using qualitative methods. Results The themes indicated that raising a child with a disability can be a life-changing experience that spurs families to examine their belief systems. Parents can come to gain a sense of coherence and control through changes in their world views, values and priorities that involve different ways of thinking about their child, their parenting role, and the role of the family. Although parents may grapple with lost dreams, over time positive adaptations can occur in the form of changed world views concerning life and disability, and an appreciation of the positive contributions made by children to family members and society as a whole. Parents’ experiences indicate the importance of hope and of seeing possibilities that lie ahead. Conclusions The information from this study may be used to provide families with an advance understanding of the changes in beliefs that they might undergo, and assists service providers in providing individualized and family-centred services and supports to families.Keywords
This publication has 44 references indexed in Scilit:
- Cancer-Related Parental Beliefs: The Family Illness Beliefs Inventory (FIBI)Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 2004
- Response to Cutchin’s Using Deweyan Philosophy To Rename and Reframe Adaptation-to-EnvironmentAmerican Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2004
- Give them prizes and they will come: Contingency management for treatment of alcohol dependence.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 2000
- Relation of the therapeutic alliance with outcome and other variables: A meta-analytic review.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 2000
- Family-Centred ServicePhysical & Occupational Therapy In Pediatrics, 1998
- Family-Centred ServicePhysical & Occupational Therapy In Pediatrics, 1998
- The positive impact of children with an intellectual disability on the familyJournal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 1998
- Resilience and development: Contributions from the study of children who overcome adversityDevelopment and Psychopathology, 1990
- A conception of adult development.American Psychologist, 1986
- Circumplex Model of Marital and Family Systems: I. Cohesion and Adaptability Dimensions, Family Types, and Clinical ApplicationsFamily Process, 1979