Attitudes, experiences and knowledge of social workers supporting mothers with intellectual disabilities in the Czech Republic
Abstract
Motherhood of women with intellectual disabilities receives only marginal attention from researchers and service providers in the Czech Republic. While people with intellectual disabilities receive increasing support in the areas of independent living, employment, self-advocacy, sexuality, however their parenthood remains an ignored topic in the Czech Republic.
Support offered to mothers with intellectual disabilities is rather random, as they continue to be a marginalised population (Aunos, & Feldman 2002; Prilleltensky, 2003), and their individual needs, especially in terms of motherhood, remain unfulfilled. Social workers are crucial for the support of mothers with intellectual disabilities, and thus they significantly determine the quality of life for entire families of women with intellectual disabilities.
Social workers' lack of knowledge and stereotypical thinking about motherhood of women with intellectual disabilities may have a significant impact on the functioning of these mothers (McConnel, & Llewellyn, 2002; Hoglung. Lindgren, & Larsson, 2012).
The aim of the research study was to investigate attitudes, experiences and knowledge of social workers supporting mothers with intellectual disabilities in the Czech Republic. The quantitative research approach was used, specifically survey design.
The researchers used factor analysis to analyse the surveys. There were 329 social workers supporting mothers with intellectual disabilities who participated in this study.
The authors will discuss the survey results, together with suggestions of ways in which the social workers can support mothers with intellectual disabilities more effectively. The implications of this research for service provision as well as research will be discussed