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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Cocks, A. (2000). Respite care for disabled children: Micro and macro reflections. Disability & Society, 15(3), 507–519. doi:10.1080/713661961.
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.
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.
DeJong, G. (1977). The need for personal care services by several physically disabled citizens of Masschusetts. Waltham, MA: Levinson Policy Institute, Brandeis University.
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.
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.
Frankel, D. (1984). Long term care issues in multiple sclerosis. Rehabilitation Literature, 45(9–10), 282–285.
Goethe, K., & Levin, H. (1984). Behavioral manifestations during the early and long term stages of recovering after closed head injury. Psychological Annals, 14, 7.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Lessenberry, B. M., & Rehfeldt, R. A. (2004). Evaluating stress levels of parents of children with disabilities. Exceptional Children, 70(2), 231–244.
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.
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.
Marcia, J. E. (1966). Development and validation of ego identity status. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 3, 551–558. doi:10.1037/h0023281.
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.
Muthén, L. K., & Muthén, B. O. (2008). MPlus user’s guide. Los Angeles, CA: Muthén & Muthén.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ryglewicz, H. (1985). How can professionals help families and patients? Issues and approaches. Tie Lines, 2(1), 1–4.
Shoob, D. (1978). A community respite care program for the mentally retarded and/or physically handicapped. Springfield, VA: Childcare Assistance Program for Special Children.
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.
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.
Special Education Elementary Longitudinal Study (SEELS). (2005). SEELS data documentation and dictionary: Introduction. Washington, DC: US Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).
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.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights 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
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-009-9070-1