Who is ready? A peer support screening measure for parents of children with disabilities

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop a measure of readiness to be trained as a supporting parent volunteer for the Parent to Parent USA Network. Background: Parents of children with disabilities may suffer from isolation, stress, and depression due to increased burden of caregiving, lack of knowledge about disability, stigmatization by community and family and/or reduced family income. Peer support can serve as a buffer to stress. Methods: Measure items are based on qualitative findings and a review of relevant literature. Exploratory factor analysis was employed to determine the factor structure, and predictive validity was assessed using two-sample t tests. Results: The 17-item measure comprised three factors—Into Action, Wellbeing, and Skills and Navigation—and demonstrated good internal consistency. Additionally, significant differences in readiness score were found between parents who had and those who had not been trained to be peer supports and parents who had and had not received support from P2P. Implications: This measure may facilitate further study and evaluation of P2P and may be useful to other programs serving families of children with special educational or health care needs.