A Mixed Methods Exploration of Quality of Life in Parents and Caregivers of Children Receiving Speech and Language Therapy

Abstract

Background: Speech, language and communication needs are among the most common developmental disabilities in childhood and are associated with wide-ranging impacts not only on affected children but also on their parents and caregivers. Despite increasing involvement of families in intervention delivery and growing awareness of the emotional and practical demands of caregiving, limited research has explored the quality of life of parents of children with speech, language and communication needs.
Aim: To explore parent and caregiver quality of life, inclusive of care related quality of life and mental wellbeing, within the context of parenting or caring for a child with a speech, language and communication need.
Methods: An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was employed. In the quantitative phase, 170 parents and caregivers completed three validated measures: the WHOQOL-BREF, CarerQol-7D, and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, inferential tests, and correlation analyses. In the qualitative phase, reflexive thematic analysis was conducted on in-depth interviews with a purposive subsample of parents who had scored lowest on quality of life measures, to provide a deeper understanding of the quantitative results.
Results and Findings: Quantitative results indicated reduced quality of life among parents and caregivers of children with speech, language and communication needs, in comparison to normative and comparative population data. Significant associations were observed between general quality of life, care-related quality of life and mental well-being, highlighting the interrelated nature of these constructs. Parents affiliated with the Mikey’s Wish community consistently reported the lowest QoL scores and were subsequently selected for inclusion in the qualitative phase. Reflexive thematic analysis of interview data generated three themes that centred around: parental anxiety around the broad and pervasive impact of the child’s communication needs, the emotional and logistical burden of assuming an advocacy role, and the duality of understanding, in which the presence or absence of relational support significantly influenced parental quality of life.

Date of Award	12 Sept 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Portsmouth
Supervisor	Jenny Roddis (Supervisor), Rebecca Stores (Supervisor) & Christian Markham (Supervisor)