An exploratory study of families with disabled children: perceived discrimination, family functioning, and familyleisure

Abstract

Parents nowadays face many challenges in raising their children. Those of children with disabilities take extra burden in parenting their children as these children tend to have more externalizing behaviour problems, which might have influence on the family functioning. Researchers suggested a positive relationship between family functions and family leisure activities (Zabriskie & McCormick, 2003). Perceived discrimination is also believed to be one of the possible factors contributing to the relationship. The purpose of the study is to explore the relationship between perceived discrimination, family functioning and the leisure patterns in these families. Results indicate that there is positive relationship between family leisure involvement and family functioning in these families. Family functioning of families of those reported experience of perceived discrimination is significantly lower than those who reported no perceived discrimination. However, there is no difference in family leisure involvement in both groups. Their leisure pattern does not mediate the association between perceived discrimination and family functioning.