Coping in families with a retarded child

Area of Science:

• Family Studies
• Developmental Psychology
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Previous research on the impact of intellectually disabled children on families relied on individual reports.
• A comprehensive understanding of family systems functioning is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate family adaptations during critical periods of a child with intellectual disabilities' life.
• To analyze family functioning using a systems perspective.

Main Methods:

• Videotaped interviews with 40 families (10 per critical life period).
• Clinical observation and analysis using the Beavers family assessment model.
• Data analysis focusing on family structure, power dynamics, individuation, emotional expression, and values.

Main Results:

• Delineation of healthy and problematic family adaptations.
• Identification of patterns in family functioning related to the child's developmental stage.
• Specific system concepts like family structure, power, and individuation were key indicators.

Conclusions:

• Family functioning and adaptation are significantly influenced by the presence of a child with intellectual disabilities.
• The Beavers model provides a robust framework for assessing family systems.
• Understanding these dynamics is crucial for supporting families.