The Relationship of Meaning in Life and Quality of Life: Basis for a Leadership Development Program among Parent-Carers of Children with Special Needs

Abstract

The goal of the present descriptive-correlational study is to examine the relationship between the quality of life (QOL) and meaning in life (MIL) of Children with Special Needs (CSN) parent-carers utilizing the simple random sampling method. It included 186 respondents from a suburban private Christian school in Muntinlupa, Metro Manila. The Meaning in Life (MIL) questionnaire and Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Short Form (Q-LES-Q-SF) questionnaire were used. The MIL dimensions revealed that, on average, the CSN parent-carers’ Presence of MIL is partly high while the Search for MIL is neither high nor low, which reveals that they have a valued meaning and purpose, yet they are still openly exploring them. The QOL of CSN parent-carers is overall good, with family relationships receiving the highest score and work with the lowest, revealing that there is a marked satisfaction in family relationships while discontent and unfulfillment with work. There is a significant relationship in terms of age, sex, and living status profile variables with MIL, except for education and monthly family income. A strong significant relationship is demonstrated between MIL and QOL of CSN parent-carers. Overall, MIL’s partly high for Presence, neither high nor low for Search, and QOL’s good result imply that CSN parent-carers have a relatively positive understanding of both MIL and QOL in their life and their determination to keep on pursuing this meaning, purpose, enjoyment, and satisfaction in life. The significant relationship and prevailing themes form the basis for LEAD (Leading, Equipping, and Developing), a parent leadership program where one identified recommendation is the review, enhancement, and endorsement for implementation to ascertain understanding, appreciation, and development of QOL and MIL in CSN parent-carers’ life.