Valeria Sizikova, Olga Anikeeva
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: The article is based on the authors’ study of parental views in a family with a disabled child, the study of the parent`s subjectivity (awareness of their role in raising a child) and their choice of a behavioural model in the upbringing process.
THEORETICAL BASE: Includes concepts of social views (Moscovici, 1973; 2000), subjectivity of individual personality (Leontyev, 1975), the concept of social design based on social perceptions (Lahlou, 2015), and the social concept of disability, socialization, and social adaptation of a child with disabilities.
OUTCOMES: The research studies parent`s self-esteem, gives an assessment of their readiness to fulfil parental responsibilities in raising a disabled child, and identifies patterns of parent behaviour in the child raising process.
METHODS: the study used a pilot questionnaire (n56), a semi-structured indepth interview method (n12), an expert survey of specialists and leaders of social organizations providing social and pedagogical support (n12), as well as modelling method.
SOCIAL WORK IMPLICATIONS: The identified assessments and models of parental behaviours are important components for further developing the formation of professional support views and programmes, the support for changing problematic parental approaches and shortcomings, and the formation of meaningful social partnership between the family with a disabled child and specialists who provide professional assistance.
Keywords:
disabled child, family with a disabled child, parenthood, parents’ subjectivity, parenting models, patterns of behaviour, parenting process, professional social assistance