The impact of family characteristics on the level of empowerment and the level of Family Quality of Life of parents using Early Childhood Intervention services

Abstract

Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) may be defined as the set of interventions for children from 0 to 6 years of age with disabilities or developmental disorders, their families, and the environment. Understanding the family as an active agent during the intervention, the aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between Family Quality of Life (FQoL) and family empowerment of parents with children with disabilities or developmental disorders who are users of ECI services. It also aimed to clarify the impact of family characteristics on FQoL and parental empowerment. The sample consisted of 322 parents or legal guardians from the Balearic Islands (Spain) users of ECI services, who responded to sociodemographic questions, the Family Quality of Life Scale for families with children with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities under 18 years of age (CdVF-ER) and Family Empowerment Scale (FES). Descriptive, differential, and correlational analyses were performed. The results obtained show medium-high levels of empowerment and FQoL, as well as differences in FQoL and family empowerment depending on family characteristics. Highlighting the scarcity of previous research, this study shows a positive and significant link between the level of family empowerment and FQoL.

Keywords:

• Family quality of life
• family empowerment
• parents
• developmental disabilities
• early childhood intervention
• participatory practices

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the families and professionals of the ECI services for participating.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The authors agree to access the data availability of this study.

Additional information

Funding

Funding from the Regional Ministry of Social Services and Sports to the University and Business Foundation of the Balearic Islands to carry out ECI in the Balearic Islands. Models of Intervention and Socio-educational Inclusion (MEPROUAC30/2022).