Early positive approaches to support for family carers of young children with developmental disabilities: adaptation and piloting in Quebec public services.
Mélina Rivard, Mélina Boulé, Marjorie Morin and 7 others
PMID 41280295WHAT IT FOUND
Carers found this adapted support group helpful for learning strategies and feeling less isolated.
Attendance was good despite pandemic disruptions. While parents reported improved well-being and competence, anxiety levels remained stable and high, suggesting the group alone may not address acute mental health needs.
Key findings
01Of the 31 parents who started, 21 completed at least five sessions, with 17 attending all eight, indicating feasible retention despite pandemic-related barriers.
02Parents reported subjective improvements in well-being and parenting competence, and questionnaire scores trended in these directions, but anxiety scores remained stable and above clinical thresholds.
03The co-delivery model by a trained practitioner and an experienced parent was valued by all participants and helped establish a safe space for sharing experiences.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study was conducted entirely online due to the pandemic, so its feasibility and effectiveness for in-person delivery remain untested. There was no control group, so it is impossible to know if the improvements reported were due to the program or other factors. Only one parent per family participated, mostly mothers, limiting generalizability to two-carer households. The sample size was small (31 participants), and the study was underpowered to detect significant changes in outcomes. The pandemic context likely exacerbated parental stress, which may have influenced the stability of anxiety scores and the perceived need for support.
Declared interests
The research was funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Institut universitaire en déficience intellectuelle et en trouble du spectre de l'autisme. One author received a salary support grant from the Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé. The authors declare no conflicts of interest related to commercial products.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume this program significantly reduces parental anxiety. While parents felt supported and more competent, anxiety scores remained stable and high for most participants, indicating that group support alone may not be sufficient for carers with acute mental health needs.
Summarised by AI from the full paper, without a clinician reviewing it. Check it against the source before it changes what you do. Read it on PubMed →