Abstract

ONATE, Lucía  and  CALVETE, Esther. A qualitative approach to the resilience factors in families of people with intellectual disabilities in Spain. Psychosocial Intervention [online]. 2017, vol.26, n.2, pp.93-101. ISSN 2173-4712.  https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.psi.2016.11.002.

Caring for a family member with an intellectual disability can be an important source of stress. This study explores the factors contributing to the process of resilience in relatives of people with intellectual disabilities in Spain. For this purpose, in-depth interviews were conducted with 32 family caregivers considered ‘resilient’ by the associations they belonged. The results show that relatives are able to use different internal and external resources to build resilience and to adapt to the situation of care. The relatives mentioned internal factors such as acceptance, active coping, perspective taking, optimism, spirituality, goals, having an occupation, leisure, mindfulness, living in the present and self-care. External factors such as formal and informal support, and economy were also mentioned. The results show that these factors are dynamic and could be interconnected. The clinical implications of this study are described.

Keywords : Family; Caregivers; Intellectual disability; Resilience; Protective factors.

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