Factors influencing parent involvement in early intervention process in case of developmental disabilities

Abstract

Involvement of parents in early intervention program is one of core factors promoting positive outcomes. Current study aims at answering following questions: does parental involvement depend on type of developmental disability, time after diagnosing and type of service? Are parental stress and coping styles correlate with the level of involvement? 140 parents will participate in the study. The research will be conducted in two stages. At the first stage, to develop parent involvement questionnaire 2 focus groups will be held. At the second stage, by using quasi-experimental design, data regarding stress, copying styles and parental involvement received from parents of children with different types of developmental disabilities and typical development, as a control group, will be compared. Correlation and regression analysis will be made. We expect that the low involvement of the parents in the early intervention process will be related with parenting stress mediated mainly by child’s diagnosis and service's type. Current stage of work: The first stage of the research was finished. The results of the study will be used to develop parents’ support program.