Development of a Family Intervention Model to Facilitate Resilience in Families of Children with Intellectual Disabilities

Abstract

AimThe aim of this study was to examine the applicability of a family intervention mod-el for families of children with intellectual/developmental disabilities to clarify the influence of familys paradigm and facilitate the family resilience process. MethodsFor 1 year, I visited families of children with intellectual/developmental dis-abilities, for whom the intervention model was used. All communications with the families were recorded and transcribed. We analysed the changes occurring in a family using Reisss family paradigm and examined the applicability of this model. ResultsIn the adjustment phase, through interventions such as encouraging expression of emotions and following the advice of nurses, the families changed their views on intel-lectual/developmental disabilities and began to cope within the family. Accordingly, Reisss family paradigm identified a shift from Definition of the Event and Search for Additional Information to Initial Responses and Trial Solutions. In the adaptation phase, interven-tions such as offering alternatives forced the families to make decisions accompanied by increased anxiety and problems however, through interventions such as linking the fam-ily with the community and encouraging expression of emotions, the families effectively improved their stress coping capacity. Because the family identified as coping strategies not only familys resources but also social resources. It was observed that Reisss family para-digm shifted from Initial Responses and Trial Solutions to Final Decision or Closing Posi-tion and Commitment of the Family to This. ConclusionsThe intervention of offering alternatives was an effective turning point in the family resilience process. Linking the family with the community improved the stress