Strength in Adversity: Understanding Resilience in Families Raising Children with Developmental Disabilities
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Authors
Dhamankar, Prajakta
Issue Date
2025-06-20
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
parental resilience , developmental disabilities , caregiver stress
Alternative Title
Abstract
This literature review explores the resilience of caregivers raising children with developmental disabilities (DD). The central research question guiding this review is: What are the psychosocial impacts of raising a child with disabilities and what factors contribute to the resilience of families? This review highlights historical perspective of disabilities and its impact on societal views of people with disabilities. Caregivers’ experiences of stress, frustration, grief and loss are discussed, while also investigating the role of societal stigma and cultural differences. This review also highlights the effects on marital relationships and gender differences in the caregiving roles. Despite the challenges, caregivers demonstrate resilience and strength in facing caregiving challenges. The internal factors such as self-efficacy, positive coping strategies, and external factors such as support systems, access to resources were found to be effective. The discussion highlights that resilience is not merely an individual psychological capacity but is shaped by access to healthcare, professional and community support, financial stability, and culturally sensitive practices. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for inclusive policies, expanded support services, and more research that includes the voices of fathers, siblings, and extended family members.