Family in the spotlight: a systematic review of family factors associated with participation of children with disabilities

Abstract

AIM: The aim of this review was to synthesise empirical evidence of family factors associated with participation of children with disabilities aged 5-12 years to inform the development of family-centred participation-fostering interventions. METHOD: A systematic search was performed for articles published in English between 2001 and 2017 in MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus and ASSIA following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines (registration no: CRD42017078202). Quality of evidence was appraised using the Research Triangle Institute Item Bank. Family factors associated with participation were identified and assessed using a multistage “semi-quantitative” approach. RESULTS: Thirty studies were included in the review. Four non-modifiable “status” factors consistently associated with participation were parental ethnicity, parental education, family type and family socio-economic status. Six modifiable “process” factors with consistent associations with participation were parental mental and physical health functioning, parental self-efficacy beliefs, parental support, parental time, family preferences and activity orientation. INTERPRETATION: Rehabilitation professionals should direct their focus towards modifiable family factors as primary targets for family-centred interventions. Strategies that can improve families’ access to information, counselling, and community support services are likely to support children’s participation by empowering families and optimizing their health and well-being.