Volume 26, Issue 1 (Spring 2025)
jrehab 2025, 26(1): 118-133 |
Back to browse issues page
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Saadati N, Al-Dossary S A, Coelho O, Rostami M, Bulut S, Parsakia K, et al . Investigating Psychological Adaptations of Parents to Childhood Disabilities. jrehab 2025; 26 (1) :118-133
URL: http://rehabilitationj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-3469-en.html
URL: http://rehabilitationj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-3469-en.html
Nadereh Saadati *1 
, Saeed Abdullah Al-Dossary2 , Olga Coelho3 , Mehdi Rostami4 , Sefa Bulut5 , Kamdin Parsakia6 , Zohreh Zadhasn6 , Seyed Hadi Seyed Ali Tabar6 , Parichehr Mehdi Abadi7
, Saeed Abdullah Al-Dossary2 , Olga Coelho3 , Mehdi Rostami4 , Sefa Bulut5 , Kamdin Parsakia6 , Zohreh Zadhasn6 , Seyed Hadi Seyed Ali Tabar6 , Parichehr Mehdi Abadi7
1- Department of Psychology and Counseling, KMAN Research Institute, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada. & Department of Rehabilitation, York Rehab Clinic, Toronto, Canada. , nsaadati@kmanresce.ca
2- Department of Psychology, College of Education, University of Ha’il, Ha’il, Saudi Arabia.
3- Research Center for Psychological Science (CICPSI), Faculty of Psychology, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.
4- Department of Psychology and Counseling, KMAN Research Institute, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada. & Department of Rehabilitation, York Rehab Clinic, Toronto, Canada.
5- Department of Counseling Psychology, Counseling Center, Ibn Haldun University, Istanbul, Turkey.
6- Department of Psychology and Counseling, KMAN Research Institute, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada.
7- School of Psychology, University of East London, London, United Kingdom.
2- Department of Psychology, College of Education, University of Ha’il, Ha’il, Saudi Arabia.
3- Research Center for Psychological Science (CICPSI), Faculty of Psychology, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.
4- Department of Psychology and Counseling, KMAN Research Institute, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada. & Department of Rehabilitation, York Rehab Clinic, Toronto, Canada.
5- Department of Counseling Psychology, Counseling Center, Ibn Haldun University, Istanbul, Turkey.
6- Department of Psychology and Counseling, KMAN Research Institute, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada.
7- School of Psychology, University of East London, London, United Kingdom.
Abstract: (566 Views)
Objective Parenting a child with a disability presents unique challenges and necessitates psychological adaptation. This study explores the psychological adaptations of parents to childhood disabilities.
Materials & Methods A qualitative research design was employed, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 26 parents of children with disabilities in Richmond Hill, Ontario in 2023. Theoretical saturation was achieved to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the experiences. Meanwhile, the data were analyzed using thematic analysis, facilitated by NVivo software.
Results Four main themes were identified: Emotional journey, coping strategies, family dynamics, and social and community support. The emotional journey theme included initial reactions of shock and adaptation over time, leading to grief acceptance and positive reappraisals. The coping strategies theme involved seeking information, building a support network, professional support, personal coping mechanisms, and advocacy. Family dynamics revealed changes in family roles, sibling relationships, and marital/partner relationships. Finally, the social and community support theme highlighted the importance of community involvement, access to resources, public perception and stigma, and inclusion and accessibility.
Conclusion This study demonstrates parents’ complex and dynamic psychological adaptations to childhood disabilities. It underscores the importance of comprehensive support systems that address the emotional, practical, and social needs of families. The findings highlight the resilience of parents and the necessity for targeted interventions to support their well-being and facilitate positive adaptation.
Materials & Methods A qualitative research design was employed, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 26 parents of children with disabilities in Richmond Hill, Ontario in 2023. Theoretical saturation was achieved to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the experiences. Meanwhile, the data were analyzed using thematic analysis, facilitated by NVivo software.
Results Four main themes were identified: Emotional journey, coping strategies, family dynamics, and social and community support. The emotional journey theme included initial reactions of shock and adaptation over time, leading to grief acceptance and positive reappraisals. The coping strategies theme involved seeking information, building a support network, professional support, personal coping mechanisms, and advocacy. Family dynamics revealed changes in family roles, sibling relationships, and marital/partner relationships. Finally, the social and community support theme highlighted the importance of community involvement, access to resources, public perception and stigma, and inclusion and accessibility.
Conclusion This study demonstrates parents’ complex and dynamic psychological adaptations to childhood disabilities. It underscores the importance of comprehensive support systems that address the emotional, practical, and social needs of families. The findings highlight the resilience of parents and the necessity for targeted interventions to support their well-being and facilitate positive adaptation.
Keywords: Childhood disabilities, Psychological adaptation, Parenting, Coping strategies, Family dynamics
Type of Study: Original |
Subject:
Clinical Psycology
Received: 6/04/2024 | Accepted: 17/11/2024 | Published: 1/05/2025
Received: 6/04/2024 | Accepted: 17/11/2024 | Published: 1/05/2025
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
Copyright © The Author(s);
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC-By-NC), which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.
Contact Information
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC-By-NC), which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.
Contact Information
