Does family quality of life get better as the years go by? A comparative mixed-methods study between early years and school-aged children with disability in Australia

By Anoo Bhopti, Ted Brown, Primrose Lentin

From the paper: ‘Many families are unprepared for the lifelong commitment of caring for a child with a disability. This journey involves continuous adaptation to new challenges. While families strive to remain positive, having a child with a disability impacts daily routines, family occupations, and overall Family Quality of Life (FQOL) more profoundly than raising a child without a disability.

‘The gearbox model of FQOL illustrates how factors, such as family beliefs and characteristics, and indirect predictors, like services and policies, influence FQOL over time. As these factors interact, they shape the family’s evolving strengths, needs, and priorities. Slide 1 – Model FQOL.

‘Parents often face issues like unemployment, limited self-care, health problems, and financial stress. They must also adjust their time use, prioritising caregiving over previous occupations. Despite these challenges, many parents remain hopeful and report reasonable FQOL….’