What is the relationship between parents who identify positive aspects of parenting their son or daughter who has intellectual disabilities and parental health and mental wellbeing?

Parenting a son or daughter who has an intellectual disability is typically framed as being very stressful and has been reported to lead to poorer physical health, mental wellbeing and earlier mortality than for parents of typically developing children. While the stress that comes with parenting a child who has intellectual disabilities is undeniable, some parents also report that their child has brought about a positive change in their lives. The aim of this study therefore, was to explore whether there was a relationship between parents who identify positive aspects of parenting their child with itellectual disabilities and their slef-reported health and mental wellbeing. A two-phase sequential mixed methods study was undertaken between September 2013 and September 2015 and a reflexive approach was used by the researcher throughout. The study was underpinned by the theoretical paradigm of critical realism and the philosophical worldview of pragmatism. In phase I, seventeen face-to-face semi-structured interviews were undertaken to elicit how and in what way parents described a positive aspect of parenting their son or daughter. Seven key themes were identified which served as the basis for locating an existing scale which represented the positive aspects. The scale chosen was the posttraumatic growth inventory underpinned by one of the shattered assumptions theories of posttraumatic growth. Phase II explored the relationship between posttraumatic growth, health and mental wellbeing through an online survey of these parents (N=576). Posttraumatic growth was found to be a significant predictor of mental wellbeing, but not of general health. Potential explanations were explored. A lack of clarity between the theoretical underpinning of the construct and the terms used to describe, measure and report positive aspects, posttraumatic growth and/or benefit finding were identified and require further investigation. The study offers new knowledge in relation to the experience and impact of parenting a son or daughter who has intellectual disabilities and the potential for utility in professional practice is explored