Kontakt 2022, 24(2):154-162 | DOI: 10.32725/kont.2022.019

Factors influencing the quality of life of parents raising a child with a disabilitySocial Sciences in Health - Original article

Katarína Molnárová Letovancová *, Miriam Slaná
Trnava University in Trnava, Faculty of Health Care and Social Work, Trnava, Slovak Republic

Objectives: The aim of the paper is to present the results of research aimed at determining the quality of life of parents of a child with a disability. Theoretical base: Quality of life, as a multidimensional and multidisciplinary concept, is an important research area in social work. In Slovakia, at least 2,500 children are born with a disability every year. This situation is a long-term burden for parents and the extended family that significantly affects their quality of life.

Methods: To reach our goal, we have chosen a quantitative research strategy using a valid research tool, the standardized Family Quality of Life Scale.

Results: Results of the research indicate a higher level of quality of life of the respondents than we expected. However, a reduced quality of life of the respondents was found in the dimensions of the scale "Parenting", "Family interaction" and "Emotional well-being". The research also confirmed that there are statistically significant differences in the quality of life of respondents depending on marital status, self-governing region, and education.

Keywords: Emotional support; Parenting; Satisfaction with the quality of life; Social quality of life of parents; Support
Grants and funding:

This paper is the output of project VEGA 1/0186/22 – ‘Identification of factors supporting the process of transitioning children with a disability into the education system from the point of view of their parents’. The paper is also the output of the project APVV-14-0646 – ‘Analysis of social service needs in the field of early intervention in Slovakia’.

Conflicts of interest:

The authors have no conflict of interests to declare.

Received: December 31, 2021; Revised: March 25, 2022; Accepted: April 29, 2022; Prepublished online: June 9, 2022; Published: June 15, 2022  Show citation

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Molnárová Letovancová K, Slaná M. Factors influencing the quality of life of parents raising a child with a disability. Kontakt. 2022;24(2):154-162. doi: 10.32725/kont.2022.019.
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