Whose Job Is It? Everyday Routines and Quality of Life in Latino and Non-Latino Families of Children With Intellectual Disabilities

Abstract

Previous studies indicate that families construct daily routines that enable the household to function smoothly and promote family quality of life. However, we know little about how activities are distributed between parents caring for a child with an intellectual disability (ID), particularly in Latino families. To address this gap, we interviewed 145 Latino and non-Latino mothers of children with ID about the division of daily activities. Mothers engaged in far more activities than did their spouses/partners, particularly in lower income households. Cluster analysis was used to reveal patterns of activity distribution. Cluster membership was associated with family income but not ethnicity. Controlling for family income, mothers were more satisfied with their own lives and rated their families as having a better quality of life when activities were more equally distributed, particularly when spouses/partners were knowledgeable about their child’s disability. Implications for increasing paternal engagement are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• cluster analysis
• intellectual disabilities
• childrearing
• family routines
• family quality of life
• life satisfaction
• Latino parents

Notes

¹As noted elsewhere (Beltrán, 2010; Skolnick, Baca Zinn, & Wells, 2005) Latinos are a heterogeneous group, varying in national origin, circumstances of immigration, social class background, and other factors. We use the term Latino as a label of convenience to refer to those who self-identify as such and who share a history of relatively recent immigration and a common language (Cauce & Doménech-Rodríguez, 2002).