Views of teenage children about the effects of a Parent's mobility disability.
Lisa I Iezzoni, Amy J Wint, Alexy Arauz Boudreau and 2 others
PMID 29331657WHAT IT FOUND
Teens with mobility-disabled parents described mixed feelings, not just burden.
Some felt closer or more mature, while others faced fear and isolation during hospitalizations. Support needs varied by whether the parent’s disability was stable or progressing.
Key findings
01Youth whose parents had stable, well-accommodated disabilities often viewed the disability as normal and reported little negative impact on daily life.
02Youth whose parents had progressive or sudden disabilities expressed conflicting emotions, including fear, depression, and frustration, particularly during hospitalizations.
03Some participants reported positive outcomes such as heightened maturity, resilience, and a strong sense of social justice regarding disability rights.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The sample size was small (10 participants), which limited the ability to reach thematic saturation for specific issues. Recruitment was difficult, and the final sample was predominantly White and from the Boston area, limiting generalizability to other cultural, linguistic, or geographic groups. The study relied on self-produced media, which varied greatly in format and content, making consistent analysis challenging. The cross-sectional nature of the data cannot capture how youths’ perceptions change over time as their parents’ disabilities progress or stabilize.
Declared interests
The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health. The authors declared no competing financial interests.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that all teenagers with mobility-disabled parents are burdened or at risk. Some report positive outcomes like increased maturity and advocacy. Conversely, do not assume that a stable parental disability means the child is unaffected; ongoing accessibility barriers and social stigma can still cause distress.