Table 1 Descriptive summary of the relevant studies

50*

Heah T, Case T, McGuire B, Law M

Parent/child experiences regarding

Qualitative research

8 parents (1 father, 7 mothers) and 8 children (5 - 16 years; 5 boys, 3 girls) with physical disability (neurological and/or musculoskeletal disabilities)

Participation in everyday occupations

2007

- what successful participation means to children and families

Phenomenological approach

Canada

- what support and what hinders participation

Semi-structured interviews

51

Antle BJ, Mills W, Steele C,Kalnins I, Rossen B

Gain insight into parental health promotion efforts within the family context where there is an adolescent with a physical disability

Qualitative research

15 parents (11 two-parent and 4 single parent families) and 15 children (11-16 years; 13 boys, 2 girls) with a diagnosis of physical disability (Cerebral palsy: 7, Spina Bifida: 3, Muscular dystrophy 3, other conditions:2)

Play, leisure, and educational activities

2007

Long interview Method

Canada

52

Missiuna C, Moll S, King S, King G, Law M

To explore parent perspectives regarding the early experiences of their children with Developmental Coordination Disorder

Qualitative research

13 parents of children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (6-14 years; 10 boys, 3 girls)

Play, leisure, and educational activities

2007

Phenomenological approach

Canada

In-depth interviews

53

Missiuna C, Moll S, Law M, King S, King G

Explore the early experiences and participation patterns of children with Developmental Coordination Disorder, as perceived and reported by the parents.

Qualitative research

13 parents (2 fathers, 13 mothers; 13 two-parent families) and 13 children (6- 14 years; 10 boys, 3 girls) with diagnosis of Developmental Coordination Disorder

Play, leisure, and educational activities

2006

Phenomenological approach

Canada

Semi-structured interviews

54

Bedell GM, Cohn ES, Dumas HM

Describe parents’ perspectives about the strategies they use to promote social participation of their school-age child with Acute Brain Injury

Qualitative research

16 Parents (3 fathers and 16 mothers; 15 two-parent and 1 single parent families) and children (5-15 years; 6 boys, 10 girls) with Acute Brain Injury

Social participation

2005

Semi-structured interviews (content and constant-comparison analysis)

USA

55

Huang Y P, Kellett U, St. John W

Describe a range of challenging care-giving experiences of Taiwanese mothers providing for their children with cerebral palsy (Cerebral palsy).

Qualitative research

15 Mothers of children with Cerebral palsy (8 months- 14 years)

Activities of daily living and educational activities

2011

Hermeneutic Phenomenological

Taiwan

56

Bennett K, Hay D

Test the hypothesized model to determine individual, family, and teacher characteristics associated with social skills development in children with physical disabilities

Quantitative research

212 parents and children (5-12 years) with a physical disability; 170 teachers in mainstream schools

Educational activities

2007

Descriptive study

Australia

57

Hewitt-Taylor J

Reports the parents views of their children’s experiences in relation to these activities

Qualitative research

14 parents and 14 children (18 months- 18 years)

Play and educational activities

2008

Semi-structured interviews

UK

58

Buran CF, Sawin K, Grayson P, Criss S

Survey the parents of children with Cerebral palsy and report their needs for information, services, and access to treatment

Quantitative research

475 families receiving services at a multidisciplinary Cerebral palsy Clinic; children (mean age 8 years 11 months; 266 girls, 209 boys)

Recreational activities

2009

Descriptive study

USA

59

Meehan DR

Describe the experience of mothering a 3-6 year old child with hemiparesis

Qualitative research

5 Mothers (5 two-parent families) and children (3-6 years; 4 boys, 1 girl)with a diagnosis of hemiparesis

Leisure activities

2005

Phenomenological approach

USA

Interviews

60

Lawlor K, Mihaylov B, Welsh S, Jarvis S, Colver A

Identify features of environments that facilitate or restrict participation

Qualitative research

12 Parents (3 fathers, 5 mother, 1 grandmother) and children (5-17 years; 6 boys and 6 girls) with Cerebral palsy

Participation as defined by the International Classification of Function

2006

In-depth interviews

UK

61

Vogts N, Mackey A, Ameratunga S, Stott NS

To pilot the use to the Craig Hospital Inventory of Environmental Factors (CHIEF) questionnaire to ascertain information regarding barriers to participation

Mix-methods: Quantitative data with Qualitative feedback

32 Parents and children (6-16 years, 15 boys and 7 girls) with Cerebral palsy

Participation as defined by the International Classification of Function

2010

New Zealand

62

Hewitt-Taylor J

Gain understanding of parent’s views regarding the social inclusion of their children who have complex and continuing health needs

Qualitative research

14 parents(2 fathers, 12 mothers; 12 two- parent families, 2 single parent families) and 14 children (18 months- 18 years) with complex health needs (learning problems as well as health problems)

Leisure activities

2009

Semi-structured interviews

UK

63

Palisano RJ, Almarsi N, Chiarello LA, Orlin MN, Bagley A, Maggs J

Identify (1) differences in the number and types of family needs based on the child’s age and gross motor function level; (2) the most frequent expressed family needs; and (3) needs that differ based on gross motor function level

Quantitative research

Cross-sectional analytical design

501 parents (389 mothers, 59 fathers, 25 grandmothers, 28 others) and children (2-21 years)with Cerebral palsy

Physical activities

2009

USA