Abstract
Religion as a personal coping resource used by parents of infants and toddlers with disabilities has received some attention in recent literature. This exploratory study involved indepth interviews of 12 parents who had children with disabilities ranging in age from 15 months to 30 years. The ways in which religion can be used as a coping resource across the life-cycle are exemplified through excerpts from these interviews. Prayer, church attendance, and specific religious beliefs were identified as sources of support which helped some parents feel a growing sense of hope and strength. Suggestions for future research are discussed.
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Tess Bennett, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor in the University of Illinois College of Education, Department of Special Education; Deborah A. Deluca, B.A., is in the Department of Educational Psychology, and Robin W. Allen, M.S.W., is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Social Work at the same university.
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Bennett, T., Deluca, D.A. & Allen, R.W. Religion and children with disabilities. J Relig Health 34, 301–312 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02248739
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02248739