Greek families with a disabled child : parental perspectives and perceptions of need for services.

The aim of the present study was to explore the perspectives of families with disabled child in Greece and their perceived needs for services. One hundred and ten families were interviewed in Athens. The study provides an insight of the positive aspects of caring for a disabled child but also of the difficulties that parents face in their everyday life. It is a first attempt to reveal how Greek parents with a disabled child construct their world. Additionally the similarities and differences to other studies in England and America are pinpointed. The daily difficulties found were the caregiving activities, the externalising behaviour problems and the difficulties with communication and mobility. The perceived support from spouse and the positive marital relationship were associated with positive family functioning. Greek parents used religion, comparative appraisals and positive contributions as coping strategies. Their perceived needs for services included the establishment of special schools, of information centres, better social provision from the State for the disabled, and counselling intervention for the parents of the disabled children. It is suggested before that any attempts for parental participation and empowerment of parents should proceed knowledge of parents’ stresses, strengths, belief systems, coping abilities and perceived needs for services.