Relationships and social support: views of parents with mental retardation/intellectual disability

From the professional perspective, parenting by people with mental retardation, or intellectual disability, is regarded with concern. Little attention has been paid to what constitutes social support for these parents. A qualitative design was used to explore views of parents with intellectual disability about their relationships and social support for their parenting. Most emphasis was placed on the support received from and given to their spouses or partners. Support was not always viewed as beneficial; rather, it was sometimes viewed as a restraint as well as a resource for parenting. Parents also exhibited a preferred sequence in seeking help, beginning with their partners, then family members, and, finally, professionals. Implications in light of policy and service provision were discussed.