Family management styles of families of children and adolescents with developmental disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Raising a child with developmental disabilities (DDs) involves both rewards and challenges, with family management styles influencing the quality of life (QoL) of both children and families, particularly during crises. This study identified family management styles and their relationships with the QoL of children and adolescents and family functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conducted between September 2020 and October 2021, the study included 200 Korean parents of individuals with DDs under the age of 21. Online data collection assessed family management styles, family functioning, and children's QoL. Cluster analysis and analysis of variance were used to identify family management styles and to compare demographics, family functioning, and QoL across groups, respectively. Three clusters were identified: "Thriving" (n = 20), "Somewhat Resilient" (n = 118), and "Struggling" (n = 62). The Thriving cluster demonstrated effective condition management, a positive outlook, and high parental cooperation. The Somewhat Resilient cluster displayed moderate functioning. The Struggling cluster demonstrated the greatest challenges and the lowest capacity for managing the condition. Significant differences in children's QoL, family functioning, and demographic variables were observed across clusters. These findings highlight how families manage DDs during the pandemic and the need for tailored interventions based on family management styles.