Caring for youth with severe disabilities : impacts on parents' quality of life

Little is known about parents’ Quality of Life (QOL) when their children with disabilities become youth and young adults. This study compared parents’ QOL versus child’s age and severity of disability conditions. Secondary data analysis of Statistics Canada’s General Social Survey Cycle 26 was completed. This study focused on parents who were “caregivers” to their disabled children aged between 0-29 years. The analyses of 193 parents’ overall life satisfaction showed significant differences based on their child(ren)’s age (0-10, 11-19, 20-29) and disability severity (mild, moderate, and severe). Parents reported significant low QOL’s scores when their children were in the group of 11-19 years old and their disability severity was moderate or severe. The findings highlighted the need for evidence-based family support for families of youth with moderate or severe disabilities.

Authors

• Mohammed, Tamer Said Oraby
• University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Health Sciences

• children's age
• disability severity
• family support
• parents' quality of life

Identifier

hdl:10133/4844

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:opus.uleth.ca:10133/4844