Feeling, thinking, acting: Pathways to parenting in parents of children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities

Parenting can be seen as an interplay between a meaning-oriented and an action-oriented component. This means that parents’ goals, cognitions and affective responses regarding themselves, their child and their parenting role are important predictors of the parenting decisions they make and the parenting behaviors they enact. Very little is known on these processes in parents of children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD). However, parenting these children is very challenging due to the complex interplay of the children’s cognitive, motor and often additional limitations (such as sensory impairments or health problems). Therefore, the main goal of this project is to increase knowledge on the relationship between and determinants of the meaning-oriented component and the action-oriented component of parenting amongst parents of children with PIMD. This project is a highly necessary first step in an underdeveloped research field. It will enable us to gain essential insight into the thoughts, feelings and actions of parents in this specific group and how they can be best supported in their parenting role.

Keywords:PIMD, multiple disabilities, parenting

Disciplines:Disabilities and developmental disorders, Family support, Parenting support, Family studies