Spending leisure time together: Parent child relationship in families of children with an intellectual disability

Abstract

BackgroundRelationship quality between a parent and a child typically differs between families with a child with intellectual disability (ID) and families with other children. Parent-child relationship quality matters in ID as it has been linked with child outcomes. However, there are few research studies examining factors that are related to parent-child relationship quality in ID. AimsThe aim of the present study was to investigate factors associated with parent-child relationship quality in families of children with ID. In particular, we aimed to examine the association between the amount of time parents and children spend together in leisure activities and parent-child relationship quality. Methods and proceduresThe sample was drawn from the 1000 Families Study, a survey including parent-reported data from families of children with ID aged 4–16 years. Measures of parent-child relationship quality and shared parent-child time were available. OutcomesRegression analyses showed that parental investment in shared leisure time was significantly associated with parent-child closeness and conflict, even after controlling for a number of factors related to relationship quality. Parental psychological distress was also associated with parent-child relationship quality. Conclusions and implicationsInterventions that aim to improve parent-child relationship quality may want to investigate the role of shared parent-child time in leisure activities as one of the mechanisms of change.