Q analysis of mothers' perspectives on their children with developmental disabilities: Communication problems and support needs

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigated the mothers' perspectives on their children with developmental disabilities, particularly focusing on their communication problems and support needs. Methods: Q-methodology was used, as it provides a method of analyzing the subjectivity of each item. Seventy-two items were obtained from a literature review and an open questionnaire. Item scores were generated from -6 (least important) to 6 (most important). The collected data were analyzed using the QUANL PC program. Twenty-four participants (12 mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders and 12 mothers of children with intellectual disabilities) completed the Q-sort. Results: Three distinctive types were obtained: the title of type 1 is 'external communication', type 2 'internal analytic', and type 3 'media searching'. The derived types were discussed in terms of both mothers' perception on their children's communication problems and their support needs, which delineate the unique and/or shared common themes across the three types. Conclusion: The results of the present study identified three types of mothers of children with developmental disabilities. The study suggested some referential data that might be useful for speech-language therapists to apply a more systematic approach toward the parents and families of children with developmental disabilities.