Abstract
Objectives
This paper will report on the findings of a study which investigated the influence of a befriending (parent-to-parent peer support) scheme on parents whose children have a disability or additional need. The scheme operated from an acute children’s tertiary setting in the UK.
Methods
A prospective concurrent mixed method design collected interview (n = 70) and questionnaire (n = 68) data at two time-points from befrienders (n = 13) and befriendees (n = 26).
Results
The main qualitative findings of the study relate to the different degrees parents (befriendees and befrienders) moved from being lost, to finding and being a guide and getting to a better place. The quantitative findings demonstrate that parent-to-parent peer support has a positive influence on parents’ levels of psychological distress and their ability to cope with being a parent of a child with a disability.
Conclusion
The befriending scheme acted as a catalyst for many parents to move towards a place where they could grow and begin to flourish and thrive.
Practice implications
Professionals should inform parents who have a child with a disability that peer-to-peer parenting support schemes are a valuable and appropriate source of support and help.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1537-1543 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Patient Education and Counseling |
Volume | 100 |
Issue number | 8 |
Early online date | 6 Mar 2017 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Aug 2017 |
Keywords
- Parent
- Peer to peer parenting support
- Befriending
- Parent well-being
- Disability
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Dive into the research topics of 'Parent-to-parent peer support for parents of children with a disability: A mixed methods study.'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Profiles
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Professor LUCY BRAY
- Nursing & Midwifery Education - Professor in Child Health Literacy
Person: Academic
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Prof BERNIE CARTER
- Nursing & Midwifery Education - Professor - Research & Innovation Team
Person: Academic