Carers and families

Navigating the post-school transition process for families of a child with learning disabilities and/or autism

This project aims to better understand the issues that parents of children with developmental disabilities experience during the post-secondary school transition process and identify the type of resource required to assist carers in the navigation of this transition process. Find out more.

Mental health of mother carers across the caregiving trajectory

The study will investigate the mental health of mothers of a child with learning disabilities, and at different stages of their caregiving journey. It will also identify factors associated with poor mental health in mothers of a child with learning disabilities.  Read more about this research here.

Mental health of father carers across the caregiving trajectory

The study will compare the mental health of fathers with and without a child with learning disabilities, and at different stages of their caregiving journey. It will also identify factors associated with poor mental health in fathers of a child with learning disabilities.  Read more about this research here.

The impact of COVID-19 on family carers of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly had a significant impact on the wellbeing of caregivers, due to heightened anxieities and increased practical difficulties due to diminished support. Research is needed to understand this impact and develop future support for carers who were already experiencing daily challenges as they care for an individual with profound and multiple learning disabilities.
This study will explore the experiences of family carers of people with PMLD during the pandemic and co-design an intervention to support their future wellbeing. 

Father carers' mental health

This research examines the mental health of fathers of a son or daughter with learning disabilities. More fathers are now taking an active caregiving role within the family and yet there is very little research in this area.

It is important to investigate the mental health of father carers and their experiences of supports and services, as this may inform service providers and policy makers about how they can better support fathers.  Read about this research here.

Father carers' experiences

While carers in the UK are generally more likely to be female than male, research has suggested that men participate more in caregiving as they age. Traditional gender roles within UK households are also changing, and while fathers may often remain the secondary carer, their participation in childcare has increased over time. Read about this research and our findings here.

Maternal Mental Health

We investigated the prevalence and determinants of mental ill-health in mothers caring for a son or daughter with learning disabilities, both overall and at different stages of the caregiving trajectory, including after the death of a son or daughter with learning disabilities (post caregiving).  Read about this research here.

Parents with learning disabilities

Research suggests that a very high proportion of parents with learning disabilities have their children removed, and those who raise their children are under-supported and have poor health.  This project will establish how many women with learning disabilities in Scotland gave birth between 1975 and 2018 and will investigate a range of health and care outcomes for mothers with learning disabilities and their children.  Read more about this research and our findings here.