Current research

Accessing support for parenting among parents living with disabilities

Parents reported that they would benefit from support in a range of areas including: access to their children; childcare and respite; structure and routine; practical tasks; managing child behaviours; stress management in parenting; parent-child relationships; educating and supporting children around mental health; and developing positive understandings and confidence around parenting. They had received or wanted to receive support via: parenting education programs; family interventions; opportunities to talk to professionals; opportunities for peer support; advocacy; practical help; family-friendly mental health services; and respectful, collaborative and non-judgmental services. However, most parents reported lacking this support.

Rider, J., Honey, A., Pituch, E., O’Mara, V., & McGrath, M. (2025). Accessing support for parenting among parents living with disabilities: A mapping review of qualitative research. Health and Social Care in the Community, 2025, 8821639. https://doi.org/10.1155/hsc/8821639

  • This paper analysed data from 18 original qualitative studies involving the experiences of 267 parents living with chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, cancer, cystic fibrosis and HIV.  Three central themes emerged: (i) Absence of support – parents often described feeling invisible within healthcare systems (ii) What supports are needed – parents wanted practical, education and emotional support and (iii) Designing supports that work – parents called for supports that are flexible, tailored and grounded in need. 

    McGrath, M., Honey, A., O’Mara, V., Pituch, E., & Rider, J. V. (2025). How do parents who live with chronic disease experience accessing formal parenting supports? A systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative research. Disability and Rehabilitation, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2025.2574530

  • This paper synthesized data from 49 studies. Parents reported that they would benefit from support in a range of areas including: access to their children; childcare and respite; structure and routine; practical tasks; managing child behaviours; stress management in parenting; parent-child relationships; educating and supporting children around mental health; and developing positive understandings and confidence around parenting. They had received or wanted to receive support via: parenting education programs; family interventions; opportunities to talk to professionals; opportunities for peer support; advocacy; practical help; family-friendly mental health services; and respectful, collaborative and non-judgmental services. However, most parents reported lacking this support.

    Honey, A., Rider, J., Pituch, E., O’Mara, V., & McGrath, M. (2026). Supporting parents with mental health conditions: A qualitative systematic review of parents’ experiences with professional support. Community Mental Health Journal. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-026-01628-3

  • Rider, J. V., Honey, A., LaVerdure, A. E., O’Mara, V., & McGrath, M. (2026). Autistic Parents’ Experiences Accessing Parenting Support: A Systematic Review and Meta-synthesis of Qualitative Research. Autism, 0(0).

  • Honey, A., Collings, S., Rider, J. V., Pituch, E., O’Mara, V., & McGrath, M. (2026). Parents with intellectual disabilities navigating formal parenting supports: Meta-synthesis of qualitative studies. Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.3109/13668250.2026.2699535