NEEDS AND SUPPORTS PERCEIVED BY CHINESE FAMILIES OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

Xinrui LI

Doctoral thesis

Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceived needs and supports of Chinese families of children with disabilities by conducting a questionnaire survey. A total of 430 parents of children with disabilities enrolled in early intervention programs participated in the survey. Results revealed that the most priority needs of families of children with disabilities in the western China were needs for information, child care, and community services; the perceived supports of these families were at the medium level, the most priority items of supports were mainly emotional and informational support, and came from spouses, professionals or teachers; fewer supports came from religious groups, social welfare agencies, relatives and friends, and social workers. In addition, the factors influencing family needs or supports were child's age, whether the child is the only child, whether the child has a disability certificate, disability category, parents' educational status, family income, geographical location and so on. This dissertation consists of five related chapters including an introduction of research background, aims and questions; a literature review; research methodology and results. Finally, the implications of this study for future research and service provision are discussed.

Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceived needs and supports of Chinese families of children with disabilities by conducting a questionnaire survey. A total of 430 parents of children with disabilities enrolled in early intervention programs participated in the survey. Results revealed that the most priority needs of families of children with disabilities in the western China were needs for information, child care, and community services; the perceived supports of these families were at the medium level, the most priority items of supports were mainly emotional and informational support, and came from spouses, professionals or teachers; fewer supports came from religious groups, social welfare agencies, relatives and friends, and social workers. In addition, the factors influencing family needs or supports were child's age, whether the child is the only child, whether the child has a disability certificate, disability category, parents' educational status, family income, geographical location and so on. This dissertation consists of five related chapters including an introduction of research background, aims and questions; a literature review; research methodology and results. Finally, the implications of this study for future research and service provision are discussed.

Keywords

family needs, family support, children with disabilities, early intervention

Language used: Czech

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 20. 6. 2017

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 5. 9. 2017

PALACKÝ UNIVERSITY OLOMOUC

Faculty of Education

Doctoral programme / field:
Special Education / Special Education