Parental Satisfaction with Caregiving across the Life Span to Their Children with Developmental Disabilities: A Cross-Sectional Study in Iran.

Sayyed Ali Samadi,Ghasem Abdollahi Boghrabadi,Roy Mcconkey

doi:10.3390/ijerph17051576

Abstract

The increased life expectancy of adult individuals with developmental disabilities and the likelihood of parents having to continue caregiving into their old age is an emerging international issue which deserves investigation, especially concerning satisfaction with caregiving. Moreover, this needs to be assessed in different cultures in order to create a better understanding of how families are best supported in their lifelong caregiving. A sample of 408 parents was gathered in six cities across Iran with a son or daughter who had a confirmed developmental disability. Self-completed measures of satisfaction and stress were obtained along with demographic details of the child and family. Satisfaction with caring was generally positive and was similar for mothers and fathers, for older as well as for younger parents; and between different types of developmental disabilities. However, both personal and child satisfaction decreased when parents reported increased stress and when caring for teenage and adult offspring and those with behavior problems. Parents need to receive support to sustain their motivation and satisfaction with caregiving if their quality of life and that of their children with disabilities is to be maintained and enhanced across their lifespan.

Highlights

Most children with developmental disabilities (DDs) live with their parents in the family home
As Bickenbach et al [8] argued, the impact of ageing on caregivers needs to be assessed in order to better support families in their lifelong caregiving
The present study addressed the following research questions based on the foregoing literature review and the identified gaps in our knowledge: Are there differences between young, middle-aged and older parents with respect to their satisfaction with caregiving? Is there a link between parental satisfaction with caregiving and the types of stress they experience? Do mothers and fathers differ in their sources of stress and satisfaction with caregiving? Does the nature of their child’s developmental disability affect their satisfaction with caregiving?

Summary

Introduction

Most children with developmental disabilities (DDs) live with their parents in the family home. There are some reports of improvements in behavior and ability as people with developmental disabilities move from childhood into adulthood, most require some degree of supervision throughout their lives [3,4,5]. Around the world, increasing numbers of adults with developmental disabilities depend on ageing parents. In the United States, more than 75% of adults with developmental disabilities live at home with their parents, and more than 25% of these caregivers are aged 60 years or older [6]. The World Health Organization [7] identified adults with developmental disabilities and their older caregivers as two vulnerable groups who have to face the challenges of the ageing process along with maintaining optimism in their caregiving role. As Bickenbach et al [8] argued, the impact of ageing on caregivers needs to be assessed in order to better support families in their lifelong caregiving

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion