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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between family leisure involvement and family functioning among families that include children with developmental disabilities. The sample consisted of 144 families (144 parents and 60 youth). Data were analyzed from the parent, youth, and family perspective. The Family Leisure Activity Profile (FLAP) was used to measure family leisure involvement. FACES II was used to measure family functioning. A scale based upon the definition, classification, and systems of support manual of the American Association on Mental Retardation adapted by Dyches was used to measure the level of support needed by the child with a developmental disability. Blocked multiple regression analyses indicated a positive relationship between core family leisure and family cohesion, adaptability, and overall family functioning, but the analyses indicated no relationship between balance family leisure and family cohesion, adaptability, and overall family functioning from all three perspectives. Results also indicated that family functioning and family leisure involvement were very similar between traditional families and families including children with developmental disabilities. Implications for practitioners and recommendations for further research are discussed.
KEYWORDS: Adaptability, cohesion, core and balance family leisure, developmental disability, family functioning, family leisure.
Researchers consistently find positive relationships between family leisure involvement and family functioning (Freeman & Zabriskie, 2003; Orthner & Mancini, 1991; Zabriskie, 2000, 2001; Zabriskie & Freeman, 2004; Zabriskie & McCormick, 2001, 2003). Although many studies examine leisure among traditional families, very little research focuses on nontraditional families. Mactavish and Schleien, (1998, 2004) have called for a greater understanding of family leisure among families who have children with developmental disabilities. Such families face a unique set of challenges and stressors (Singer, 2002). Many researchers agree that families who have children with developmental disabiUties face substantially greater challenges and have higher levels of stress than families without children with disabilities (GUdden, 1993; Mactavish & Schleien, 1998; Olsson & Hwang, 2001; Warfield, Krauss, Hauser-Cram, Upshur, & Shonkoff, 1999). Contrary to previous research (Kronick, 1976; Margalit & Heiman, 1986), some scholars (Cahill & Gildden, 1996; Dyson, 1996; Ferguson, 2002) have reported that although families of children with developmental disabilities face greater challenges and stress, they may still function at or near the same levels as traditional famiUes without children with disabilities.
Olson (2000)...