Objective 2a: Family Quality of Life

The Family Level – This study will use specifically designed measures to investigate quality of life in parents of children with severe developmental disabilities. Family quality of life will be assessed using two measures designed specifically for the use with families in which one or more members have a severe developmental disability. 

This study is the first direct and rigorous comparison of families who have children with severe versus mild developmental disabilities on a full range of domains relevant to family quality of life. The data will aid with understanding the differences in the life experiences of these families, which is a first step toward developing services to meet the unique needs of families of children with severe developmental disabilities. 

Participants: Participants will be parents of children with severe DD, and parents of children with mild DD.  The following inclusion criteria will also be applied: 1) the child with the DD must have had a psychological assessment within the last 4 years indicating functioning in the mild or severe range, 2) children with DD must be living in the family home, and 3) caregivers must be able to communicate in English well enough to complete the interview.