The "Mother" behind the Mother: Three Generations of Mothers with Intellectual Disabilities and Their Family Support Networks

Autor/inn/en	Traustadottir, Rannveig; Sigurjonsdottir, Hanna Bjorg
Titel	The "Mother" behind the Mother: Three Generations of Mothers with Intellectual Disabilities and Their Family Support Networks
Quelle	In: Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 21 (2008) 4, S.331-340 (10 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1360-2322
DOI	10.1111/j.1468-3148.2008.00450.x
Schlagwörter	Social Support Groups; Mothers; Family (Sociological Unit); Participant Observation; Family Influence; Mental Retardation; Family Programs; Methods; Parents with Disabilities; Social Networks; Relationship; Interviews; Parent Child Relationship; Social Services; Advocacy + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Social support; Soziale Unterstützung; Mother; Mutter; Familie; Teilnehmende Beobachtung; Geistige Behinderung; Family program; Familienprogramm; Method; Methode; Social network; Soziales Netzwerk; Wechselbeziehung; Interviewing; Interviewtechnik; Parents-child relationship; Parent-child-relation; Parent-child relationship; Eltern-Kind-Beziehung; Social service; Soziale Dienstleistung; Soziale Dienste; Sozialanwaltschaft
Abstract	Background: Given appropriate supports mothers with intellectual disabilities can successfully raise their children. Historically, this support has been provided by extended family members while support from formal services is a recent development. This paper examines the role of extended family members in assisting mothers with intellectual disabilities to keep and raise their children. Methods: Qualitative methods were used to study three generations of mothers with intellectual disabilities and their children over half a century (1950-2005). Eighteen mothers were key participants in this study. Data were collected through participant observation and in-depth interviews with mothers, their children, partners, extended family members and professionals. Results: Despite the development of formal support services, the importance of assistance from extended family continues to be crucial in determining whether mothers with intellectual disabilities retain custody of their children. In-depth examination of the support offered by family members reveals that women relatives referred to as "mothers" played the most important role. The "mother" was a non-disabled woman who provided practical and emotional assistance and advocated on behalf of the disabled mother and her family. If successful, the "mother's" advocacy was found to play a crucial role in facilitating the maintenance of the custody of the children by their birth mothers. Conclusions: This study indicates that provision of formal services has changed the nature of help needed from extended family members with advocacy and assistance in dealing with the service system becoming increasingly important. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10