Abstract
The purpose of this study was to analyze parents' recognition of the independence of adolescents with Down syndrome from the perspective of each parents' hope for independence and each parents' methods for promoting independence, to clarify the structure of each parents' recognition of independence, and to analyze differences in their recognition due to attributive factors. For this research, a novel questionnaire regarding parents' recognition of the independence of adolescents with Down syndrome was developed based on previous research. I investigated it for 1,000 people, the effective answer was 362 people, and mother was 94.2%. A factor analysis identified the following 3 factors of "Hope for Independence": a) A child acts alone, b) A child lives independently, and c) A child performs housework for oneself. The factor analysis also identified the following 3 factors of "methods for promoting independence", d) A parent improves the child's abilities, e) A parent maintains a positive connection to society, and f) A parent acts with the child. Compared to families with older children, families with younger children scored higher for c) and f). Furthermore, scores for f) were higher for families of children with a comorbid condition than families of children without a comorbid condition. Based on the present findings, it is thought that the parents facilitate the child's growth and development by providing care that is matched to the ability of the child. Furthermore, if the child's condition is stable, any methods that improve the child's independence should be continued, regardless of the child's age.
