This thesis consists of a literature review and large scale research project. The literature review summarises existing knowledge relating to the parental impact of this parent carer role. The outcomes reported in the literature were also considered in relation to two key theoretical frameworks for understanding carer stress. Research relating to parent support is also examined and implications of these findings are discussed. The Large Scale research project aimed to explore parent experiences of their child's learning disability diagnosis, their experiences of engaging with parent support and to examine parent support needs following diagnosis in Northern Ireland. Seven parents of children with a formal learning disability diagnosis were recruited for the study. Participants were recruited though the voluntary sector. Semi-structured interviews were completed with participants and interviews were transcribed and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Smith, 2009). In line with IPA, member checking was used to enhance validity, credibility, and rigour. The analysis revealed five superordinate themes: (1) The Diagnosis (2) “Thrust into” a new and unexpected role (3) Navigating the journey of learning disability (4) Connection, a new sense of belonging, “they just get it” (5) The support needs of parent carers. Key findings were in relation to the emotional experience of parents, unmet support needs, the need for information and importance of connection with others on the journey. The findings highlight key implications for clinical practice, as well as the need for further research exploring outcomes of parent support.
- Parents
- carers
- learning disability
- Intellectual disability
- mental health
- lived-experience
- interpretative phenomenological analysis
Parent carers of children with learning disabilities : examining the parental impact of caring and parent support needs
McFadden, L. (Author). Dec 2023
Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis › Doctorate in Clinical Psychology