The Impacts of short break provision on families with a disabled child: an international literature review

Abstract

What is known about this topic dSuccessive governments have been committed to providing short breaks for families with a disabled child. The benefits of short breaks for families include: reduction in carer stress; new experiences for disabled children; and carers having time with their other children. What this paper adds dA comprehensive international review of 60 articles or reports examining the impact of short breaks on families with a disabled child. Further research could address the experiences of family members beyond mothers, and examine the long-term impact of short breaks within the contexts of other family support services. AbstractThere are widespread assumptions about the potential impacts of short breaks on family carers and disabled children. This review aims to evaluate the existing international research evidence concerning the impacts of short breaks on families with a disabled child. Electronic literature searches were conducted using ASSIA, PsycInfo, CINAHL, and Web of Science, and requests for information were sent to selected email lists. Of 60 articles or reports identified for inclusion in the review, the vast majority of studies were cross-sectional, with only eight studies using quasi-experimental pre-post designs or longitudinal designs. Nonetheless, the consistency with which some findings have been reported suggests that short breaks appear to have the potential to positively impact on not only the well-being of carers, but also the children receiving short breaks and their families as a whole. Additional research is warranted in a number of areas. First, research needs to consider the impact of short breaks on fathers. Second, there is a need to consider in more depth how short breaks can impact on the siblings of disabled children. Third, research could consider how best short breaks can be combined with other interventions to maximise the impact for disabled children and their families. Fourth, research needs to look at the longer term impact of short breaks on outcomes for disabled children and their families. What is needed is evidence on what type of short breaks are best for children and families with particular characteristics at particular times during the course of the child's maturation towards adulthood.

An integrated approach for individualised support: carers' views

“…Whatever form the break took, carers' ability to cope with the stress of caring seemed to have been improved, supporting previous research findings (Robertson 2010). Others recounted that they felt the break had had a beneficial effect on the cared-for person, either associated with improvements in their own well-being or as a result of direct benefits from the break, such as through financing the purchase of equipment for the cared-for person.…”

“…Short breaks for carers of children with disabilities have been shown to improve family relationships and reduce the stress of daily life. It helped carers to continue caring between regular breaks with an opportunity to just sit and relax (Robertson 2010). …”

Reducing Distress in Mothers of Children With Autism and Other Disabilities: A Randomized Trial

“…18 Parent interventions also include anticipatory guidance about the child' s disability, advocacy training, involvement in disabilityspecific organizations, and respite care or "short breaks" from round-the-clock caregiving. 19 Although parent training can lead to modest collateral benefits on maternal stress, 20 and disability organizations provide support and advice, these programs were not developed to treat parental mental health. Similarly, respite care provides parents a welcomed reprieve, 19 but does not teach them how to cope with stress once the break is over.…”

“…19 Although parent training can lead to modest collateral benefits on maternal stress, 20 and disability organizations provide support and advice, these programs were not developed to treat parental mental health. Similarly, respite care provides parents a welcomed reprieve, 19 but does not teach them how to cope with stress once the break is over.…”

Short break and emergency respite care: what options for young people with life-limiting conditions?

“…Short breaks and emergency respite support are essential to increase resilience and decrease the risk of deterioration in health and wellbeing, carer breakdown or abuse (Carter et al, 2013;Remedios et al, 2015); preventing social care intervention, inappropriate hospital admission or costly out of home placement (Ling, 2012;Robertson et al, 2011). Having few, or no, appropriate alternative short break and emergency respite care options when children's hospice provision is not available, can have negative and far reaching consequences for young people with LLCs, their family and society.…”