This article reports on a qualitative study of the psychosocial adjustment of parents of blind and partially sighted children and youths and their perceptions and experiences in parent support groups. Specifically, the study attempted to clarify the types of parents who participate in support groups and the life conditions associated with their involvement. Organizational issues and professional intervention in parent-to-parent support are also discussed.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
CaplanG. (1964). Principles of preventive psychiatry.New York: Basic Books.
2.
CorreaV.I. (1987). Working with Hispanic parents of visually impaired children: Cultural implications.Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 81, 260–264.
3.
DarlingR.B. (1983). Parent-professional interaction: The roots of misunderstanding. In SeligmanM. (ed.), The family with a handicapped child: Understanding and treatment.New York: Grune & Stratton.
4.
DarlingR.B., & DarlingJ. (1982). Children who are different.St. Louis.C.V Mosby.
5.
FeatherstoneH. (1980). A difference in the family: Living with a disabled child.New York: Basic Books.
6.
FestingerL. (1954). A theory of social comparison processesHuman Relations, 7, 117 40
7.
FewellR.R., & GelbS.A. (1983). Parenting moderately handicapped persons. In SeligmanM. (ed.), The family with a handicapped child: Understanding and treatment.New York: Grune & Stratton.
8.
GottliebB.H. (1981). Preventive interventions involving social networks and social support. In GottliebB.H. (ed.), Social networks and social support.Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications.
9.
HymanH.H. (1942). The psychology of status.Archives of Psychology, 269.
10.
LairyG.C., & Harrison-CovelloA. (1973). The blind child and his parents: Congenital visual defect and the repercussions of family attitudes on the early development of the child.AFB Research Bulletin No. 25.New York: American Foundation for the Blind.
11.
LavinC. (January 31, 1988). When being a family is special.Burlington Free Press, 1D, 6D.
12.
MalloryB.L. (1986). Interactions between community agencies and families over the life cycle. In FewellR.R., & VadasyP.F. (eds.), Families of handicapped children: Needs and supports across the life span.Austin, TX: pro-ed.
13.
PowellD.R. (1983). Individual differences in participation in a parent-child support program. In SigelI.E., & LaosaL.M. (Eds.), Changing families.New York: Plenum.
14.
RubinS., & Quinn-CurranN. (1983). Lost, then found: Parents’ journey through the community service maze. In SeligmanM. (ed.), The family with a handicapped child: Understanding and treatment.New York: Grune & Stratton.
15.
SchachterS. (1959). The psychology of affiliation.Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.
16.
ShapiroJ. (1983). Family reactions and coping strategies in response to the physically ill and handicapped child: A review.Social Science and Medicine, 17, 913–931.
17.
StromanD.F. (1982). The awakening minorities: The physically handicapped.Washington, DC: University Press of America.
18.
TurnbullH.R.III, & TurnbullA.P. (1985). Parents speak out: Then and now.Columbus, OH: Charles E. Merrill.
19.
WiklerL., WasowM., & HatfieldE. (1981). Chronic sorrow revisited: Parent vs. professional depiction of the adjustment of parents to mentally retarded children.American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 51, 63–70.