The experiences of parents of adolescents with disabilities during the transition to adulthood

• Main Author: Haver, Carol Elizabeth
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: Occupational therapy; Parental perspective; Transition
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/2144/20861

Research indicates that parental involvement in transition planning for adolescents with disabilities is associated with more successful adult outcomes as well as higher family well-being and parental satisfaction Given that parents invest more time and energy into transition planning for their child with a disability than one without, and that parental involvement is associated with transitional success, it is important to understand parental experiences during transition so that the best and most comprehensive support can be provided to them. This qualitative study examined how parents of youth with disabilities describe their own, personal experiences of their son or daughter’s transition to adulthood. A conceptual model was developed to describe the tension between parents’ preparedness for and their emotions regarding the transition process. This tension ultimately contributes to a sense of uncertainty about their son or daughter’s future.