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Published on: September 19, 2019
A model of well-being for children with neurodevelopmental disorders: Parental perceptions of functioning, services,
A M Ritzema1, L M Lach2, D Nicholas3
1Child Development Program, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Insights
Child functioning and unmet service needs significantly impact the well-being of children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). Adequate supports can mitigate the effects of functional difficulties on child well-being, informing service improvements.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Developmental Disabilities
- Family Support Services
Background:
- Parental well-being is influenced by child functioning and available support services for children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD).
- The interplay between child function, services, and the well-being of children with NDD requires further investigation to guide program development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if child functioning and the adequacy of formal supports and services predict child well-being in NDD.
- To analyze the relationship between parent-reported concerns, unmet needs, and child well-being.
Main Methods:
- Assessed child well-being using a quality of life measure for children with NDD.
- Analyzed data from 234 parents using structural equation modeling.
- Examined predictors including child function and adequacy of formal supports and services.
Main Results:
- Parent concerns about child function were linked to lower child well-being.
- Unmet needs for formal supports and services correlated with lower child well-being.
- Adequate support services mediated the impact of functional difficulties on child well-being.
Conclusions:
- Child functioning and service adequacy are key factors in the well-being of children with NDD.
- Findings highlight the importance of addressing unmet needs for formal supports and services.
- Results inform service delivery and program adjustments for families of children with NDD.
Background:
Both child function and supports and services have been found to impact the well-being of parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). The relationship between function and services and the well-being of children with NDD is less well-understood and is important to clarify in order to effect program and service change.
Methods:
The current project assessed whether child function as well as the adequacy of formal supports and services provided to children and their families were predictive of child well-being. Well-being was assessed using a measure of quality of life developed for use with children with NDD. Data from 234 parents were analysed using structural equation modelling.
Results:
Each predictor was found to load significantly on the overall outcome variable of well-being. Parent concerns about child function were significantly related to child well-being; parents who reported more concerns about their children's functioning reported lower levels of child well-being. Unmet needs for formal supports and services were also significantly related to child well-being; parents who reported that more of their children's and family's service needs were unmet reported lower child well-being. An indirect relationship was also found between child function and child well-being. When parents reported that their formal support needs were adequately met, their children's functional difficulties had a lower impact on parent perceptions of their children's overall well-being.
Conclusions:
Taken together, the results of the current study enrich our understanding of well-being for children with NDD. Discussion focuses on the service implications for children with NDD and their families.
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