A study on the process of parenting a child with special needs: An example of helpers with social influence

• Main Authors: Ya-Lin Chung, 鍾雅琳
• Other Authors: Ming-Shan Chiang
• Format: Others
• Published: 2017
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/myzcyq

碩士 === 國立東華大學 === 特殊教育學系 === 105 === The current study aimed to explore the parenting process and psychological adaptation among parents having social influence, serving as helpers, and with children requiring special needs. Their stories of becoming helpers with social influences were also uncovered. The participants were four parents with children requiring special needs. They are also founders or presidents active in disability charities, having social influence, and keeping helping people. An in-depth interview was adopted to probe into the processes of their parenting and psychological adaptation, as well as how they became helpers with social influence. The results were as follows: 1.The parenting process and psychological adaptation among parents having social influence, serving as helpers, and with children requiring special needs. (1)The four parents experienced three stages, including “chaotic collision”, “adjustment and change” and “stable transcendence”. (2)Parenting issues that the four parents experienced included children’s special needs, pressure of personal parenting, influences on the family, and parenting related to social aspects. (3)Differences as well as similarities in ways corresponding to parenting issues were found among the four parents. (4)Factors affecting the four parents’ parenting included others’ suggestions, children’s development and performance, teachers’ acceptance, religious beliefs, and personal features. (5)Ways corresponding to psychological adaptation included cognitive adjustment and taking action to relieve negative emotions. (6)Factors affecting the parents’ psychological adaptation included family support, social support, personal features, and environmental factors. 2.The process of becoming helpers with social influences. (1)Reasons for the parents to become helpers included being elected, internal drive, children’s guidance, and support from the family environment. (2)Factors affecting the parents to keep helping others included the mission to keep helping people, power gained from others’ support, and the spirit of passing it down. (3)The impacts of becoming helpers with social influence included nourishment of life, development of personal abilities, and recognition. Finally, based on the results of the study, the researcher provides suggestions for parents having children with special needs, related organizations, and future research.