Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Ameliorating Psychosocial Risk Among Mothers with Intellectual Impairment

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Community Mental Health Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to pilot a flexible, group-based program designed to strengthen the social connections and enhance the psychological well-being of mothers with intellectual impairment. A multi-site, mixed-method, pretest–posttest design was employed. To obtain rich process and outcome data, the evaluation incorporated measures of psychosocial well-being, goal achievement scaling, and interviews with group facilitators and participants. A total of 18 mothers completed the program. Participation was associated with a meaningful reduction in psychological distress with effect sizes ranging from .57 for depression to .71 for anxiety. Participating in the group program gave the mothers something to look forward to each week, opportunities to learn from and support others, and the feeling of “being a part of society”. Further research is needed to determine whether these promising results can be replicated, and to evaluate the long-term impact of the program on mothers and their children.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abbott, S., & McConkey, R. (2006). The barriers to social inclusion as perceived by people with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 10(3), 275–287.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Alink, R. A., Cicchetti, D., Kim, J., & Rogosch, F. A. (2012). Longitudinal associations among child maltreatment, social functioning, and cortisol regulation. Developmental Psychology, 48(1), 224–236.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Aunos, M., Feldman, M. A., & Goupil, G. (2008). Mothering with intellectual disabilities: Relationship between social support, health and well-being, parenting and child behaviour outcomes. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 21(4), 320–330.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aunos, M., Goupil, G., & Feldman, M. A. (2004). Mothers with an intellectual impairment who do and not have custody of their children. Journal on Developmental Disabilities, 10(2), 65–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barlow, J., Coren, E., & Stewart-Brown, S. S. B. (2007). Parent-training programmes for improving maternal psychosocial health. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 4, Art. no.: CD002020. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002020.pub2.

  • Baumeister, R. F., & Leary, M. R. (1995). The need to belong: Desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 117(3), 497–529.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beart, S., Hardy, G., & Buchan, L. (2004). Changing selves: A grounded theory account of belonging to a self-advocacy group for people with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 17(2), 91–100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Booth, T., & Booth, W. (2003). Self-advocacy and supported learning for mothers with learning difficulties. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 7(2), 165–193.

    Google Scholar 

  • Booth, T., Booth, W., & McConnell, D. (2004). Parents with learning difficulties, care proceedings and the family courts: Threshold decisions and the moral matrix. Child and Family Law Quarterly, 16(4), 409–421.

    Google Scholar 

  • Booth, T., Booth, W., & McConnell, D. (2005). The prevalence and outcomes of care proceedings involving parents with intellectual impairment in the family courts. Journal of Intellectual impairment Research, 18(1), 7–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cacioppo, J. T., & Cacioppo, S. (2014). Social relationships and health: The toxic effects of perceived social isolation. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 8(2), 58–72.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Cacioppo, J. T., Hawkley, L. C., Norman, G. J., & Berntson, G. G. (2011). Social isolation. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1231(1), 17–22.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2007). Designing and conducting mixed methods research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Darbyshire, L. V., & Kroese, B. S. (2012). Psychological well-being and social support for parents with intellectual disabilities: Risk factors and interventions. Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 9(1), 40–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ehlers-Flint, M. L. (2002). Parenting perceptions and social supports of mothers with cognitive disabilities. Sexuality and Disability, 20(1), 29–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Emerson, E., & Brigham, P. (2013). Health behaviours and mental health status of parents with intellectual disabilities: Cross sectional study. Public Health, 127(12), 1111–1116.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Feldman, M. A. (2002). Parents with intellectual disabilities and their children: Impediments and supports. In D. Griffiths & P. Federoff (Eds.), Ethical dilemmas: Sexuality and developmental disability (pp. 255–292). Kingston, NY: NADD Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feldman, M. A., Garrick, M., & Case, L. (1997a). The effects of parent training on weight gain of nonorganic-failure-to-thrive children of parents with intellectual disabilities. Journal on Developmental Disabilities, 5(1), 47–61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feldman, M. A., Léger, M., & Walton-Allen, N. (1997b). Stress in mothers with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 6(4), 471–485.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feldman, M. A., McConnell, D., & Aunos, M. (2012). Parental cognitive impairment, mental health and child outcomes in a child protection population. Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 5(1), 66–90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feldman, M. A., Sparks, B., & Case, L. (1993). Effectiveness of home-based early intervention on the language development of children of parents with mental retardation. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 14(5), 387–408.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Feldman, M. A., Varghese, J., Ramsay, J., & Rajska, D. (2002). Relationships between social support, stress and mother–child interactions in mothers with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 15(4), 314–321.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Freire, P. (1993). Pedagogy of the oppressed. New York, NY: Continuum Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freire, P. (1998). The adult literacy process as cultural action for freedom. Harvard Educational Review, 40(2), 205–225.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gilmore, L., & Cuskelly, M. (2014). Vulnerability to loneliness in people with intellectual disability: An explanatory model. Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 11(3), 192–199.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goodley, D., Armstrong, D., Sutherland, K., & Laurie, L. (2003). Self-advocacy, “learning difficulties”, and the social model of disability. Mental Retardation, 41(3), 149–160.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hawkley, L. C., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2010). Loneliness matters: A theoretical and empirical review of consequences and mechanisms. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 40(2), 218–227.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Keltner, B., Finn, D., & Shearer, D. (1995). Effects of family intervention on maternal–child interaction for mothers with developmental disabilities. Family Community Health, 17(4), 35–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klebanov, P. K., Brooks-Gunn, J., & Duncan, G. J. (2007). Does neighbourhood and family poverty affect mothers’ parenting, mental health, and social support? Journal of Marriage and Family, 56(2), 441–455.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lachman, M. E., & Weaver, S. L. (1998). The sense of control as a moderator of social class differences in health and wellbeing. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 74(3), 763–773.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Layzer, J. I., Goodson, B. D., Bernstein, L., & Price, C. (2001). National evaluation of family support programs, final report volume A: The meta-analysis.. Cambridge, MA: Abt Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Llewellyn, G., & McConnell, D. (2002). Mothers with learning difficulties and their support networks. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 46(1), 17–34.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Llewellyn, G., McConnell, D., Honey, A., Mayes, R., & Russo, D. (2003a). Promoting health and home safety for children of parents with intellectual disability: A randomised controlled trial. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 24(6), 405–431.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Llewellyn, G., McConnell, D., & Mayes, R. (2003b). Health of mothers with intellectual limitations. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 27(1), 17–19.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lovibond, S. H., & Lovibond, P. F. (1995). Manual for the depression anxiety stress scales (2nd ed.). Sydney: The Psychology Foundation of Australia Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • McConnell, D., Breitkreuz, R., & Savage, A. (2013). Parent needs and family support service outcomes in a Canadian sample. Journal of Social Work, 13(5), 447–470.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McConnell, D., Dalziel, A., Llewellyn, G., Laidlaw, K., & Hindmarsh, G. (2009). Strengthening the social relationships of mothers with intellectual impairment. British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 37(1), 66–75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McConnell, D., & Llewellyn, G. (2010). Supporting mothers’ community participation. In G. Llewellyn, R. Traustadóttir, D. McConnell, & H. Sigurjónsdóttir (Eds.), Parents with intellectual disabilities: Past, present and future (pp. 205–224). Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • McConnell, D., Llewellyn, G., & Ferronato, L. (2002). Disability and decision-making in Australian care proceedings. International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family, 16(2), 273–301.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McConnell, D., Llewellyn, G., & Ferronato, L. (2006). Context contingent decision-making in child protection practice. International Journal of Social Welfare, 15(3), 230–239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McConnell, D., Mayes, R., & Llewellyn, G. (2008). Prepartum distress in women with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 33(2), 177–183.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McGaw, S., Ball, K., & Clark, A. (2002). The effect of group intervention on the relationships of parents with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 15(4), 354–366.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McGaw, S., Shaw, T., & Beckley, K. (2007). Prevalence of psychopathology across a service population of parents with intellectual disabilities and their children. Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 4(1), 11–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mercer, J. R. (1973). Labeling the mentally retarded: Clinical and social system perspectives on mental retardation. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris, S. B., & DeShon, R. P. (2002). Combining effect size estimates in meta-analysis with repeated measures and independent-groups designs. Psychological Methods, 7(1), 105–125.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rao, T. (2013). Implementation of an intensive, home-based program for parents with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Public Child Welfare, 7(5), 691–706.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rubin, H., & Rubin, I. (2005). Qualitative interviewing: The art of hearing data. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publishing.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Sperry, D. M., & Widom, C. S. (2013). Child abuse and neglect, social support, and psychopathology in adulthood: A prospective investigation. Child Abuse and Neglect, 37(6), 415–425.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Tilden, V. P., Hirsch, A. M., & Nelson, C. A. (1994). The interpersonal relationship inventory: Continued psychometric evaluation. Journal of Nursing Measurement, 2(1), 63–78.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tymchuk, A. J. (1994). Depression symptomatology in mothers with mild intellectual impairment: An exploratory study. Australia and New Zealand Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 19(2), 111–119.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wade, C., Llewellyn, G., & Matthews, J. (2008). Review of parent training interventions for parents with intellectual disability. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 21(4), 351–366.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wade, C., Llewellyn, G., & Matthews, J. (2011). Modeling contextual influences on parents with intellectual disability and their children. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 116(6), 419–437.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zimmerman, M. A. (1995). Psychological empowerment: Issues and illustrations. American Journal of Community Psychology, 23(5), 581–599.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a research grant from the Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research, Canada (ACCFCR, 101001INV-McConnell).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, 3-66 Corbett Hall, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2G4, Canada

    David McConnell

  2. Centre for Applied Disability Studies, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada

    Maurice Feldman

  3. CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal (ODIM), Montreal, QC, Canada

    Marjorie Aunos & Laura Pacheco

  4. Family and Disability Studies Initiative, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada

    Amber Savage, Lyndsey Hahn, Camille Dube, Sonia Chenier & Elly Park

Authors
  1. David McConnell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Maurice Feldman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Marjorie Aunos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Laura Pacheco
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Amber Savage
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Lyndsey Hahn
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Camille Dube
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Sonia Chenier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Elly Park
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to David McConnell.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

McConnell, D., Feldman, M., Aunos, M. et al. Ameliorating Psychosocial Risk Among Mothers with Intellectual Impairment. Community Ment Health J 52, 944–953 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-015-9979-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-015-9979-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation