Abstract:

We interviewed 250 parents of Mexican and Puerto Rican origin living in the United States who had young children with developmental delays to determine the role of religion in their lives. Quantitative results indicate that parents largely viewed themselves as religious, were affiliated with a formal religion, and participated in religious activities. Most parents viewed both church and faith as supportive, but faith was shown to provide more support. Repeated measures a analysis of variance found some intragroup variations in religious support and changes in support after learning of the child’s condition. Thematic analysis revealed specific religious beliefs and practices parents viewed as supportive, and content and cultural models analyses indicated the religious frameworks by which parents interpreted their child’s disability.

Author(s): Debra G. Skinner, Vivian Correa, Martie Skinner & Donald B. Bailey, Jr.

Journal: American Journal on Mental Retardation

Date: 2001

Volume: 106

Issue: 4

Pages: 297-313

DOI: 10.1352/0895-8017(2001)106<0297:RORITL>2.0.CO;2

Databased: Yes

Disabilities: Developmental Disability

Categories: Families