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The Role of Informal Social Networks in Supporting Parents With Learning Disabilities: A Systematic Review.

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Title: The Role of Informal Social Networks in Supporting Parents With Learning Disabilities: A Systematic Review.
Authors: Threlfall, Jennifer, Jobling, Hannah, Graham, Katherine
Source: British Journal of Learning Disabilities. Jun2025, Vol. 53 Issue 2, p230-247. 18p.
Subjects: Research funding, Parent-child relationships, Descriptive statistics, Intellectual disabilities, Parents with disabilities, Systematic reviews, MEDLINE, Social networks, Psychology of parents, Social support, Psychosocial factors, Psychology information storage & retrieval systems
Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
Abstract: Background: Parents with learning disabilities are often assessed as lacking the capacity to parent effectively; however, ecological models of parenting indicate that support from informal social networks (ISNs) can help them successfully maintain family life. This systematic review examined evidence regarding (1) parent and child outcomes associated with support from ISNs and (2) perceptions of the roles of ISNs for parents with learning disabilities. Methods: Peer‐reviewed quantitative and qualitative literature was identified through a search of six databases, and a narrative synthesis was subsequently conducted. Results: Twenty‐six articles were included in the review. Findings of the quantitative synthesis provided preliminary evidence for a positive relationship between support from ISNs and parental mental health, positive parenting practices and child wellbeing. The qualitative synthesis indicated that parents benefited from ISNs through their provision of practical and emotional support and learning skills. Network characteristics that divided supportive from unsupportive members were also identified. Conclusion: Parents with learning disabilities receive the same positive outcomes from ISNs as other parents, although unique contextual and social challenges may affect their experiences. Future research should explore interventions to build ISNs of parents with learning disabilities that acknowledge their existing strengths as parents and community members. Summary: We wanted to find out what research tells us about how family, friends and neighbours support parents with learning disabilities to look after their children.The research shows there is some evidence that support from family, friends and neighbours helps parents with learning disabilities and their children feel better and have a better relationship with each other.The research also shows that parents with learning disabilities experience benefits from supportive people in their lives. Sometimes, parents with learning disabilities also experience difficult relationships with family, friends and neighbours, which does not help them look after their children.More research needs to be conducted on helping parents with learning disabilities build strong and positive relationships with the people around them. This will help parents with learning disabilities not only get support but also become part of their communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of British Journal of Learning Disabilities is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: The Role of Informal Social Networks in Supporting Parents With Learning Disabilities: A Systematic Review.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22British+Journal+of+Learning+Disabilities%22">British Journal of Learning Disabilities</searchLink>. Jun2025, Vol. 53 Issue 2, p230-247. 18p.
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  Data: Background: Parents with learning disabilities are often assessed as lacking the capacity to parent effectively; however, ecological models of parenting indicate that support from informal social networks (ISNs) can help them successfully maintain family life. This systematic review examined evidence regarding (1) parent and child outcomes associated with support from ISNs and (2) perceptions of the roles of ISNs for parents with learning disabilities. Methods: Peer‐reviewed quantitative and qualitative literature was identified through a search of six databases, and a narrative synthesis was subsequently conducted. Results: Twenty‐six articles were included in the review. Findings of the quantitative synthesis provided preliminary evidence for a positive relationship between support from ISNs and parental mental health, positive parenting practices and child wellbeing. The qualitative synthesis indicated that parents benefited from ISNs through their provision of practical and emotional support and learning skills. Network characteristics that divided supportive from unsupportive members were also identified. Conclusion: Parents with learning disabilities receive the same positive outcomes from ISNs as other parents, although unique contextual and social challenges may affect their experiences. Future research should explore interventions to build ISNs of parents with learning disabilities that acknowledge their existing strengths as parents and community members. Summary: We wanted to find out what research tells us about how family, friends and neighbours support parents with learning disabilities to look after their children.The research shows there is some evidence that support from family, friends and neighbours helps parents with learning disabilities and their children feel better and have a better relationship with each other.The research also shows that parents with learning disabilities experience benefits from supportive people in their lives. Sometimes, parents with learning disabilities also experience difficult relationships with family, friends and neighbours, which does not help them look after their children.More research needs to be conducted on helping parents with learning disabilities build strong and positive relationships with the people around them. This will help parents with learning disabilities not only get support but also become part of their communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
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  Data: <i>Copyright of British Journal of Learning Disabilities is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=185257277
RecordInfo BibRecord:
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    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1111/bld.12628
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        PageCount: 18
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      – SubjectFull: Research funding
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Parent-child relationships
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Descriptive statistics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Intellectual disabilities
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Parents with disabilities
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Systematic reviews
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: MEDLINE
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social networks
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Psychology of parents
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social support
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Psychosocial factors
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Psychology information storage & retrieval systems
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: United Kingdom
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: The Role of Informal Social Networks in Supporting Parents With Learning Disabilities: A Systematic Review.
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            NameFull: Jobling, Hannah
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            – D: 01
              M: 06
              Text: Jun2025
              Type: published
              Y: 2025
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