Using a biopsychosocial approach to examine parental sense of burden and competency associated with raising a child with a physical disability

Background Parents report both positive and negative experiences associated with raising a child with a physical disability. However, distinctive factors may affect children and families differently. Aims Using a biopsychosocial approach, the current study expands on the existing literature on the general impact of raising a child with a disability. Methods Participants were 98 parents of children/youth with a physical disability. Parents reported on child's level of physical disability, the impact of the disability on the family (financial, social, personal strain and mastery) and their general health. Data were analysed to examine how different biopsychosocial factors are associated with raising a child with a physical disability. Results Parents reported that child's disability had a higher social impact, compared with the financial and personal burden, as well as compared with their sense of competency and mastery. Child's level of disability was associated with financial burden, whereas parental emotional distress was associated with parents' personal and social burden, with the latter also associated with parent's religiosity. Total impact was associated with parental emotional distress and educational level. Conclusions Altogether, parental characteristics, but not child's characteristics, were associated with greater caregiver burden. Furthermore, the social impact a child's physical disability has on the family exceeded other sources of burden within the family. Providing parents social and emotional support, tailored to their unique biopsychosocial needs, may mitigate burden and distress, and increase sense of competency among families of children with a physical disability.

Automated summary

This study expands on the existing research on the general impact of raising a child with a disability using a biopsychosocial approach. The results show that the social impact of a child's physical disability is higher compared to other burdens within the family. Parental characteristics, such as emotional distress and educational level, are associated with the overall impact. Providing social and emotional support tailored to the unique needs of families can mitigate burden and distress and increase the sense of competency.