Skip to main content
Log in

How is Taking Care of Caregivers of Children with Disabilities Related to Academic Achievement?

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Child & Youth Care Forum Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Respite care services have been linked to variety of positive outcomes for caregivers and families alike. The purpose of the current study was to examine the association of receiving respite care with academic achievement for children with disabilities across time. The study employed a nationally representative sample of children to examine this relationship using structural models. Results indicate a positive association between receiving respite care services and academic achievement across time for children with disabilities. In an era of high-stakes achievement testing, these results link respite care services to those academic achievement outcomes while complementing previous research.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ashworth, M., & Baker, A. H. (2000). ‘Time and space’: Carers’ views about respite care. Health & Social Care in the Community, 8(1), 50–56. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2524.2000.00221.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baronet, A. M. (1999). Factors associated with caregiver burden in mental illness: A critical review of the research literature. Clinical Psychology Review, 19(7), 819–841. doi:10.1016/S0272-7358(98)00076-2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Berzonsky, M. D. (2004). Identity style, parental authority, and identity commitment. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 33(3), 213–220. doi:10.1023/B:JOYO.0000025320.89778.29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brannan, A. M., Heflinger, C. A., & Foster, M. (2003). The role of caregiver strain and other family variables in determining children’s use of mental health services. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 11(2), 77–91. doi:10.1177/106342660301100202.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Browne, M. W., & Cudek, R. (1993). Alternative ways of assessing models fit. In K. A. Bollen & J. S. Long (Eds.), Testing structural equation models. Newbury Park, CA: SAGE.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carter, G. (1984). Why are mentally handicapped admitted to hospitals? The British Journal of Psychiatry, 145, 283–288. doi:10.1192/bjp.145.3.283.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chadwick, O., Beecham, J., Piroth, N., Bernard, S., & Taylor, E. (2002). Respite care for children with severe intellectual disabilities and their families: Who needs it? Who receives it? Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 7(2), 66–72. doi:10.1111/1475-3588.00013.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chan, J. B., & Sigafoos, J. (2001). Does respite care reduce parental stress families with developmentally disabled children? Child & Youth Care Forum, 30(5), 253–263. doi:10.1023/A:1014467226528.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cocks, A. (2000). Respite care for disabled children: Micro and macro reflections. Disability & Society, 15(3), 507–519. doi:10.1080/713661961.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cowen, P. S., & Reed, D. A. (2002). Effects of respite care for children with developmental disabilities: Evaluation of an intervention for at risk families. Public Health Nursing (Boston, Mass.), 19(4), 272–283. doi:10.1046/j.1525-1446.2002.19407.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Curran, A. L., Sharples, P. M., White, C., & Knapp, M. (2001). Time costs of caring for children with severe disabilities compared with caring for children without disabilities. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 43, 529–533. doi:10.1017/S0012162201000962.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • DeJong, G. (1977). The need for personal care services by several physically disabled citizens of Masschusetts. Waltham, MA: Levinson Policy Institute, Brandeis University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dowling, M., & Dolan, L. (2001). Families with children with disabilities: Inequalities and the social model. Disability & Society, 16(1), 21–35. doi:10.1080/713662027.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Enders, C. K., & Bandalos, D. L. (2001). The relative performance of full information maximum likelihood estimation for missing data in structural equation models. Structural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 8, 430–457.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frankel, D. (1984). Long term care issues in multiple sclerosis. Rehabilitation Literature, 45(9–10), 282–285.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goethe, K., & Levin, H. (1984). Behavioral manifestations during the early and long term stages of recovering after closed head injury. Psychological Annals, 14, 7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heckler, M. M. (1985). The fight against Alzheimer’s disease. The American Psychologist, 40(11), 1240–1244. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.40.11.1240.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Holden-Pitt, L. (2005). Declassification–students who leave special education: A special topic report from the Special Education Elementary Longitudinal Study. Washington, DC: US Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hu, L., & Bentler, P. M. (1999). Cutoff criteria for fit indices in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling, 6, 1–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, C. P., & Kastner, T. A. (2005). Helping families raise children with special health care needs at home. Pediatrics, 115(2), 507–511. doi:10.1542/peds.2004-2520.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, D. A., & Vetter, N. (1984). A survey of those who care for the elderly at home: Their problems and their needs. Social Science and Medicine, 19(5), 511–514. doi:10.1016/0277-9536(84)90046-7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lessenberry, B. M., & Rehfeldt, R. A. (2004). Evaluating stress levels of parents of children with disabilities. Exceptional Children, 70(2), 231–244.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loop, B. (1979). Family resource services and support systems for families with handicapped children. Omaha: University of Nebraska Medical Center, Meyer Children’s Rehabilitation Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacDonald, H., & Callery, P. (2004). Different meanings of respite: A study of parents, nurses and social workers caring for children with complex needs. Child: Care, Health and Development, 30(3), 279–288.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marcia, J. E. (1966). Development and validation of ego identity status. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 3, 551–558. doi:10.1037/h0023281.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McCubbin, H., & Patterson, J. M. (1982). Family stress, coping, and social support. New York: Charles C Thomas.

  • Meredith, W. M., & Tisak, J. (1990). Latent curve analysis. Psychometrika, 55, 107–122. doi:10.1007/BF02294746.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muthén, L. K., & Muthén, B. O. (2008). MPlus user’s guide. Los Angeles, CA: Muthén & Muthén.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicoll, M., Ashworth, M., McNally, L., & Newman, S. (2002). Satisfaction with respite care: A pilot study. Health & Social Care in the Community, 10(6), 479–484. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2524.2002.00391.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Orto, A. E. (1988). Respite care: A vehicle for hope, the buffer against desperation. Family interventions throughout chronic illness and disability (pp. 265–284). New York: Springer Publishing Company.

  • Pullo, M. L., & Hahn, S. (1979). Respite care: A family support service. Madison, WI: United Cerebral Palsy of Wisconsin, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rehm, R. S. (2002). Creating a context of safety and achievement at school for children who are medically fragile/technology dependent. ANS Advances in Nursing Science, 24, 71–84.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenzweig, J. M., Brennan, E. M., & Ogilvie, A. M. (2002). Work-family fit: Voices of parents of children with emotional and behavioral disorders. Social Work, 47(4), 415–424.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ryglewicz, H. (1985). How can professionals help families and patients? Issues and approaches. Tie Lines, 2(1), 1–4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shoob, D. (1978). A community respite care program for the mentally retarded and/or physically handicapped. Springfield, VA: Childcare Assistance Program for Special Children.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spaniol, L., & Zipple, A. (1986). Families with a chronically mentally ill member: A review of the research finding. In J. P. Bowker & A. Runin (Eds.), Studies on chronic mental illness (pp. 52–82). Washington, DC: Council on Social Work Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stoel, R. D., van den Wittenboer, G., & Hox, J. J. (2003). Methodological issues in the application of the latent growth curve model. In K. van Montfort, H. Oud, & A. Satorra (Eds.), Recent developments in structural equation modeling: Theory and applications. Amsterdam: Kluwer Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Special Education Elementary Longitudinal Study (SEELS). (2005). SEELS data documentation and dictionary: Introduction. Washington, DC: US Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).

    Google Scholar 

  • Warren, R. (1979). Demonstrating continua of respite care and parent training services for families of persons with developmental disabilities—Project visit no. 5, UCP of Northeastern Maine. New York: United Cerebral Palsy Association. December 4–6.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lucy Barnard-Brak.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Barnard-Brak, L., Thomson, D. How is Taking Care of Caregivers of Children with Disabilities Related to Academic Achievement?. Child Youth Care Forum 38, 91–102 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-009-9070-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-009-9070-1

Keywords

Navigation