Activism, Growth, and Empowerment of Israeli Parents of Children With Disabilities

Abstract

Traditionally, studies on parenting children with disabilities have focused mostly on experiences of stress. More recently, studies have turned to examining parental coping from the perspective of strength, focusing on the ability to achieve growth and empowerment. Most studies, however, have not examined parental activism as a coping mechanism. Based on the Double ABCX Model of Family Adjustment and Adaptation, this study, conducted in Israel, assessed the adequacy of a theoretical model linking stress, coping, activism, growth, and empowerment of parents of children with disabilities. Activist and nonactivist parents (N = 123) completed a structured questionnaire that included measures of stress, coping, empowerment, and growth. Stress was negatively associated with empowerment and growth, whereas problem‐focused coping and parental activism were positively associated with empowerment and growth. Activism was found to mediate the relationships between stress and growth and empowerment, with lower levels of stress being related to higher levels of activism, which was in turn correlated to higher levels of empowerment and growth. Parental activism, consisting of deconstructing problems faced by the family and demanding change in social discourse with a view toward inclusion, choice, rights, and equality, is a useful mechanism for parents in alleviating levels of stress and enhancing sense of empowerment and growth.

Health empowerment and health‐related quality of life in older individuals with disabilities and their spouse carers: A cross‐sectional study

“…On the other hand, according to STM, the augmentation of health empowerment at the individual level among spouse carers has the potential to have a positive impact on the HRQOL of older individuals with disabilities. However, the current body of research on carer empowerment has predominantly directed its focus toward enhancing caregiving skills, often overlooking the imperative aspect of prioritizing the well‐being and health empowerment of the caregivers themselves (Geva & Werner, 2021; Sakanashi & Fujita, 2017). Consequently, a significant gap exists in the comprehensive exploration of the direct influence of caregivers' health empowerment on their own HRQOL, as well as the effect of health empowerment among spouse carers on the HRQOL of older individuals with disabilities.…”

“…Furthermore, lower levels of empowerment may be an indication of social disengagement among individuals with a disability, according to findings from another study that found an association between unmet needs and empowerment levels (Dubuc et al, 2011). As a result, the empowerment of older individuals with disabilities may be essential because it may transform their self-concept from that of a powerless victim to that of a capable individual and thus, improve their HRQOL (Geva & Werner, 2021). Despite this, research quantifying the impact of health empowerment on HRQOL among individuals with disabilities remains scarce.…”