Work

Impact of the Family-Centered Early Intervention Program Good Start on Psychosocial Constructs Related to Quality of Life in Parents of Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Pre-Post-Follow-Up Study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the four-day family-centered early intervention program Good Start on psychosocial constructs related to quality of life in parents of children with cerebral palsy. Parental well-being, life satisfaction, sense of coherence, parenting efficacy, and family empowerment were assessed using recognized scales in a pre-post-follow-up design involving 38 parents. Measurements at baseline, three weeks, and six months post-program showed statistically significant improvements over time in most outcomes, except for the Efficacy and Family Empowerment Subscales immediately after the program. At six months, all outcomes except the Family Subscale showed sustained improvement. The findings suggest that Good Start is associated with positive changes in parental well-being, life satisfaction, sense of coherence, and parenting efficacy. Overall, family empowerment ratings were relatively high, which indicates a solid foundation of perceived capacity and confidence among families. This study indicates that a brief, family-centered intervention may be associated with psychosocial changes similar to those observed in longer programs. Studies with larger samples and including control factors are needed to confirm the study’s findings.

Source: Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research

DOI: 10.16993/sjdr.1249

Authors: Camilla Marie Larsen, Charlotte Boslev Præst, Danielle Louise Nørager Johansen, Thomas Skovgaard, Lars Breum Christiansen

Institutions: University College Lillebaelt, University of Southern Denmark

Language: English

Topic: Family and Disability Support Research

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $576