Vivienne Mangos
Lecturer, TAFE, Australia.Investigating the Quality of Life and Career
Development of Parents of Children with Down
Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder
This study investigates the relationship between quality of life and
career development of parents of children with Down Syndrome. The
literature is sparse regarding the impact raising a child with Down
Syndrome, has the on career development of parents. This study seeks
to add to the existing literature by comparing the findings from a study
undertaken by the author in 2009 which investigated the relationship
between quality of life and career development of parents of children
with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Previous studies regarding the
quality of life outcomes of parents have compared these two types of
disabilities, however it remains unknown if similarities or differences
exist regarding career development of parents of children with Down
Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorders. This study will involve
interviewing parents that are registered members of The Down
Syndrome Association of South Australia using a modified version of
the World health organisation, Quality of Life Questionnaire. This will
be followed by a comparative analysis between the findings from the
two studies. This study will add to the current literature by establishing
if common quality of life and career development issues are shared by
parents belonging to each subgroup or if distinct differences exist.