A Review of Family Resilience among Families of Children with Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities

Abstract

　　This study reviewed the research on family resilience among families of children/adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities to discuss findings from previous studies and issues for future research. We conducted a literature search using PsycINFO and Google Scholar, and we also analyzed 16 articles on family resilience based on Walsh’s theory from four perspectives: “family resilience factors and factors related to family resilience,” “the impact of family resilience on parents,” “the impact of family resilience on children/youth with developmental disabilities and intellectual disabilities,” and “support to promote family resilience.” Results indicated that (1) a positive view of disability, resource mobilization, family cohesion, and family communication were components of family resilience among such families and that social support and family communication promoted family resilience; (2) greater family resilience was associated with better parental mental health and less parenting stress; (3) greater family resilience reduced the risk of behavioral problems and mental health problems in children/youth with developmental disabilities; and (4) support to promote family resilience might be useful for families of children with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Issues for the future are that the process of promoting family resilience needs to be elucidated and that specific forms of support need to be developed to promote it.