How the parents of handicapped children experienced helpful behaviours : a phenomenological study
Date
1990
Authors
Ridley, Maryse Marcelle
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate how the parents of handicapped children experienced helping behaviours, using a phenomenological approach. The parents were asked to describe behaviours that were helpful to them when interacting with professionals and when interacting with family and friends. The participants were also asked to describe the ways in which they had helped themselves.
Three couples with one handicapped child over the age of three were recruited and interviewed individually . The data generated from the audiotaped interviews were analyzed according to the steps outlined by Colaizzi, Hyener, and Rose. Seventeen themes were identified from the parents' interaction with professionals; nine from the parents' interaction with family and friends; and eleven from the parents' own self-help behaviours. These themes complement and build upon the existing literature focused on professional intervention with the families of handicapped children by providing more detailed information on what specific behaviours were helpful to the parents and why. These behaviours and their impact on the parents are summarized in table form. A list of guidelines for helpers is offered.