Occupational Balance Among Parents of Typically Developing Children and Parents of Children With Disabilities

Parenting may influence perceptions of occupational balance (OB), particularly among parents of children with disabilities (PCWD).

To compare OB among PCWD and parents of typically developing children (PTDC), identify potential predictors of OB, and examine the association between OB and family quality of life (FQOL).

Cross-sectional group-comparison design.

Two hospitals under the Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar. Data were collected between November 2020 and February 2021.

PCWD attending occupational therapy clinics and PTDC from the hospital staff and their relatives were recruited through convenience sampling. Participants were 89 PCWD and 89 PTDC, of whom 38% spoke Arabic, and 62% spoke English.

The revised 11-item Occupational Balance Questionnaire and the short version of the Family Quality of Life Survey-2006 were used to measure outcome variables. An investigator-developed demographic survey was used to collect information on independent variables. All data collection forms were available in English and Arabic. The hypothesis was generated before data were collected.

Statistically significant but marginal differences were found in OB between PTDC and PCWD (M difference = 1.87, p = .02; 95% confidence interval [0.331, 3.339]). A moderate association existed between OB and FQOL among PCWD (r = .57, p = .001) and PTDC (r = .31, p = .003).

Occupational therapists working with families of young children may find it helpful to assess OB and address OB-related issues to facilitate better FQOL. What This Article Adds: Parenting young children affects OB regardless of the disability status of the child. Role satisfaction and spousal support are possible intervention targets to improve OB and thereby improve FQOL.