SCIE research briefing 14: Helping parents with learning disabilities in their role as parents
Reference list
Click here for a full alphabetical list of the references.
(1) Pawson R., Boaz A., Grayson L., Long A., Barnes C. (2003). Types and Quality of Knowledge in Social Care. Knowledge Review 3. Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE). This document analyses and defines the different types of knowledge and information which may inform social care research and practice.
(2)SCIE Research briefing 11 (2005). The Health and Well-Being of Young Carers. Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE).
This is a research and policy briefing describing how young carers may be affected by their role and what interventions they find helpful.
(3) SCIE Research briefing 13 (2005). Helping Parents with a Physical Disability or Impairment in their Parenting Role. Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE).
This is a research and policy briefing describing methods for helping parents with physical disabilities to perform their parenting role as well as possible.
(4) Booth T., Booth W. (1996). Parental competence and parents with learning difficulties. Child and Family Social Work, 1 (2), 81-86.
This paper questions the presumption of incompetence that is often applied to disabled parents.
(5) McBrien J., Power M. (2002). Professional attitudes to supporting parents with learning disabilities. Tizard Learning Disability Review, 7 (3), 16-22.
This article describes an audit, training and evaluation which highlights some of the underlying difficulties, particularly differences in attitudes and approach between health and social services staff that can obstruct joint working and effective practice in providing support to parents with learning disabilities.
(6) Llewellyn G. (1995). Relationships and social support: views of parents with mental retardation/intellectual disability. Mental Retardation, 33 (6), 349-363.
This Australian qualitative study explores the views of parents with intellectual disability about their relationships and the social support for their parenting. Abstract available A Critical Appraisal of this article is available
(7) Booth W. (2000). Parents with learning disabilities need support. Nursing Times, 96 (23), 41.
This article describes the value of the parent-led support groups as part of the Parents Together project summarised in Booth & Booth 1999.
(8) Booth T., Booth W. (1998).Growing Up with Parents Who have Learning Difficulties. London, Routledge.
This study interviews thirty now-adult children to explore their experiences of being brought up in a family headed by a parent or parents with learning disabilities.
(9) Stickland H. (2003).Disabled Parents and Employment. London, Department of Work and Pensions.
This paper considers the link between disabled families, social exclusion and poverty.
(10) Goodinge S. (2000). A Jigsaw of Services: Inspection of services to support disabled adults in their parenting role. Department of Health.
This is the national strategy document for supporting disabled parents.
(11) Woodhouse A., Green G., Davies S. (2001). Parents with learning disabilities: service audit and development. British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 29 (4), 128-132.
This paper reports on an audit and service model for delivering parenting support to parents with learning disabilities.
(12) Woodhouse A. (1997). Parents with learning disabilities: does everyone have the right to have children? Journal of Learning Disabilities for Nursing, Health, Social Care, 1141-146.
This is a review of literature on the topic of parenting by parents with learning disabilities.
(13) Culley L., Genders N. (1999). Parenting by people with learning disabilities: the educational needs of the community nurse. Nurse Education Today, 19 (6), 502-508.
This article discusses some of the findings of a research project which was designed to examine the role of community learning disability nurses in supporting people with learning disabilities who become parents. Abstract available A Critical Appraisal of this article is available
(14) Hur J. (1997). Review of research on parent training for parents with intellectual disability: methodological issues. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 44 (2), 147-162.
This is a review of the methods and results of research into parent training programmes for parents with learning difficulties. A Critical Appraisal of this article is available
(15) McGaw S., Ball K., Clark A. (2002). The effect of group intervention on the relationships of parents with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 15 (4), 354-366.
This study seeks to assess the effectiveness of group training in improving the self-concept and relationships of parents with learning disabilities, including the relationships with their children. A Critical Appraisal of this article is available
(16) Kroese B.S., Hussein H., Clifford C., Ahmed N. (2002). Social support networks and psychological well-being of mothers with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 15 (4), 324-340.
This study investigates the impact of the social support networks of mothers with intellectual disabilities on their psychological well-being and views of parenting. A Critical Appraisal of this article is available
(17) Llewellyn G., McConnell D., Cant R., Westbrook M. (1999). Support network of mothers with intellectual disability: an exploratory study. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 24 (1), 7-26.
This Australian study records the characteristics of social support networks of mothers with learning disabilities. A Critical Appraisal of this article is available
(18) Booth T., Booth W. (1999). Parents together: action research and advocacy support for parents with learning difficulties. Health and Social Care in the Community, 7 (6), 464-474.
This paper summarises the findings of the research project reported in the book "Advocacy for Parents with Learning Difficulties: Developing Advocacy Support", by the same authors. Abstract available:
(19) McGaw S. (2000). What Works for Parents with Learning Disabilities? Barnardos.
This report draws on research and empirical evidence to establish a knowledge base for practitioners and policy-makers working with and for parents with learning disabilities.
(20) Feldman M.A., Varghese J., Ramsay J., Rajska D. (2002). Relationships between social support, stress and mother-child interactions in mothers with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 15 (4), 314-323.
This study examines the relationships between parenting stress, social support and mother-child interactions in thirty mothers with intellectual disabilities. A Critical Appraisal of this article is available
(21) Wates M. (2002). Supporting disabled adults in their parenting role. Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
This document reports on a survey to find out whether social services departments have policies/protocols for providing services to parents with physical and sensory impairments and/or learning disabilities and, if so, to see how effective these are likely to be in meeting the needs of families.
(22) Olsen R., Wates M. (2003). Disabled Parents. Examining Research Assumptions. Research in Practice.
The aim of this review is to bring together the research literature on disabled parents and to place it within the context of policy and practice.
(23) O'Hara J., Martin H. (2003). Parents with learning disabilities: a study of gender and cultural perspectives in east London. British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 31 (1), 18-24.
This study seeks to evaluate service provision for two culturally different groups of parents with learning disabilities, and to compare these two groups on culture and gender issues. A Critical Appraisal of this article is available
(24) Morris J. (2003). The Right Support: Report of the Task Force on Supporting Disabled Adults in their Parenting Role. Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
This document reports on the findings of a Task Force on Supporting Disabled Adults in their Parenting Role. This Task Force received evidence that people with physical impairments, sensory impairments, learning disabilities, mental health difficulties, long-term illness and HIV/AIDS experience common barriers to receiving appropriate support in their parenting role.
(25) Becker S., Dearden C., Aldridge J. (2001). Young carers in the UK: research, policy and practice. Research, Policy and Planning.
This article reviews the main research studies on young carers in the UK, examines the services available to support young carers, and identifies the implications for future policy and practice, particularly in social care.
(26) Shearn N. (2001). Too dependent on services. Community Care.
This article describes a case study concerning a parent with learning disabilities who is experiencing problems parenting.
(27) Bond H. (2000). Learning how to cope. Community Care.
This article reports on a South London project to help parents with learning difficulties.
(28) Booth T., Booth W. (2003). Self-advocacy and supported learning for mothers with learning difficulties. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 7 (2), 165-193.
This article describes a supported learning project (SLP) in Sheffield for 31 mothers with learning disabilities.
(29) Feldman M.A., Case L. (1999). Teaching child-care and safety skills to parents with intellectual disabilities through self-learning. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 24 (1), 27-44.
This study evaluates the efficacy of self instructional audiovisual child care and safety manuals for parents with learning difficulties. A Critical Appraisal of this article is available
(30) Llewellyn G., McConnell D., Russo D., Mayes R., Honey A. (2002). Home-based programmes for parents with intellectual disabilities: Lessons from practice. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 15341-353.
This Australian study evaluates the implementation of a randomized trial of a home-based parent education programme for parents with intellectual disabilities. A Critical Appraisal of this article is available
(31) Llewellyn G., McConnell D., Honey A., Mayes R., Russo D. (2003). Promoting health and home safety for children of parents with intellectual disability: a randomized controlled trial. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 24 (6), 405-431.
This Australian randomised controlled trial evaluates the efficacy of a home-based intervention targeted at parents with learning disabilities to promote the health and safety of pre-school children. Abstract available
(32) Banks P., Cogan N., Deeley S., Hill M., Riddell S., Tisdall K. (2001). Seeing the invisible children and young people affected by disability. Disability and Society, 16 (6), 797-814.
This paper reports on two studies examining the nature of the role performed by young carers and its impact on their lives. A Critical Appraisal of this article is available
(33) Heinz L.C., Grant P.R. (2003). A process evaluation of a parenting group for parents with intellectual disabilities. Evaluation and Program Planning, 26 (3), 263-274.
This Canadian study evaluates a specialised parent training programme for parents with learning disabilities.
(34) Armstrong K., Fraser J.A., Dadds M.R., Morris J. (2000). Promoting secure attachment, maternal mood and child health in a vulnerable population: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Paediatric Child Health, 36 (6), 555-562.
This paper evaluates the efficacy of an early home-based intervention on the quality of maternal-infant attachment, maternal mood and child health in a cohort of families assessed as vulnerable. Abstract available
(35) Dearden C., Becker S. (2000). Growing Up Caring: Vulnerability and Transition to Adulthood - Young Carers' Experience. Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
This study examines the extent to which caring can influence young people's decisions and activities in relation to education, training and employment, leaving home and becoming an adult. It also looks at the impact of community care policies and services on these young people.
(36) Richardson N. (2001). When parents have learning difficulties. Nursing Times, 97 (26 April), 40-41.
This brief discussion paper describes the type of support that can be helpful for parents with learning disabilities.
