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Navigating the visual tapestry: Unveiling stress coping in the resilience journey of caregivers of children with Special Educational Needs through photovoice in Hong Kong = 探索力量的視覺之旅：透過照片分享揭示香港特殊教育需求兒童照顧者的壓力應對之旅程
Principal Investigator
Department
Grant Awarding Body
Research Grants Council
Grant Type
Faculty Development Scheme
Project Code
UGC/FDS15/H21/24
Amount Awarded
HK$629,393
Funding Year
2024-2025
Duration of the Project
18 months
Status
Ongoing
Abstract
The number of children with special educational needs (SEN) has significantly increased in the past decade, leading to a higher burden and increased stress levels among their caregivers. Previous research has shown that caregiver burden and mental health status are influenced by coping strategies and social emotional support. Building on these findings, this proposed study aims to explore and investigate stress-related variables in Hong Kong parents of children with SEN. The study sample will include main caregivers of children in early childhood, mid-childhood, and teenage years, as the sources and levels of stress may vary based on the developmental stage of the children.
The research design involves a 1.5-year qualitative study with a participatory action research (PAR) orientation and Photovoice design. The objectives of the study are to increase our understanding of parental stress levels, sources of stress, and the perception of quality of life among parents of children with SEN in Hong Kong. Additionally, the study aims to explore stress coping strategies and orientations in these parents, examine the process and effectiveness of utilizing Photovoice as a stress-reducing intervention, and develop a Photovoice Work Manual and Practical Guide for local use in the family education and social work field.
The study holds significant clinical and theoretical implications for various stakeholders in the community, including educators and professional clinicians, in preventing family tragedies and enhancing the mental well-being of caregivers. The research proposal will integrate the Coping Circumplex Model (CCM) and the Common Factor Model to construct a comprehensive theoretical framework. By adopting a participatory action research (PAR) orientation, the study aims to address the social issue of parental stress among parents of children with SEN.
Photovoice will be employed as both a research method and an intervention in the study. Each Photovoice group will consist of 7 to 10 participants, and a total of 30 participants will be recruited based on power analysis and the Photovoice manual. Data collection will include sociodemographic information, parental stress levels, stress coping strategies, parental competence, and quality of life measures. The study will involve 12 bi-weekly meetings with photographers, facilitators, and project investigators. Qualitative data analysis will be conducted using the SHOWeD protocol to analyze the data collected from the Photovoice intervention. The study aims to provide valuable insights into parental stress among caregivers of children with SEN, contributing to the prevention of family tragedies and the promotion of mental well-being.
The proposed research project on parental stress among caregivers of children with SEN will have significant long-term, medium-term, and short-term impacts. In the long run, it aims to provide a comprehensive framework that considers contextual factors, leading to robust findings for policy and intervention development. It also aims to decentralize mental health services, empowering individuals and promoting community-based support networks. In the medium term, the Photovoice Work Manual and Practical Guide will benefit practitioners and tertiary institutes. In the short term, parents of children with SEN, along with family members, schoolteachers, and the general public, will directly benefit, fostering understanding and support for caregivers. This project’s multifaceted approach will have wide-ranging effects on various stakeholders, enhancing the well-being of caregivers and improving the overall support system for children with SEN. The project will yield two peer-reviewed journal manuscripts and two conference presentations to share research findings. A Photovoice Work Manual and Practical Guide will be developed, accompanied by a Photovoice exhibition. A dedicated website will be created for publicizing the project and providing information on its outcomes.
The research design involves a 1.5-year qualitative study with a participatory action research (PAR) orientation and Photovoice design. The objectives of the study are to increase our understanding of parental stress levels, sources of stress, and the perception of quality of life among parents of children with SEN in Hong Kong. Additionally, the study aims to explore stress coping strategies and orientations in these parents, examine the process and effectiveness of utilizing Photovoice as a stress-reducing intervention, and develop a Photovoice Work Manual and Practical Guide for local use in the family education and social work field.
The study holds significant clinical and theoretical implications for various stakeholders in the community, including educators and professional clinicians, in preventing family tragedies and enhancing the mental well-being of caregivers. The research proposal will integrate the Coping Circumplex Model (CCM) and the Common Factor Model to construct a comprehensive theoretical framework. By adopting a participatory action research (PAR) orientation, the study aims to address the social issue of parental stress among parents of children with SEN.
Photovoice will be employed as both a research method and an intervention in the study. Each Photovoice group will consist of 7 to 10 participants, and a total of 30 participants will be recruited based on power analysis and the Photovoice manual. Data collection will include sociodemographic information, parental stress levels, stress coping strategies, parental competence, and quality of life measures. The study will involve 12 bi-weekly meetings with photographers, facilitators, and project investigators. Qualitative data analysis will be conducted using the SHOWeD protocol to analyze the data collected from the Photovoice intervention. The study aims to provide valuable insights into parental stress among caregivers of children with SEN, contributing to the prevention of family tragedies and the promotion of mental well-being.
The proposed research project on parental stress among caregivers of children with SEN will have significant long-term, medium-term, and short-term impacts. In the long run, it aims to provide a comprehensive framework that considers contextual factors, leading to robust findings for policy and intervention development. It also aims to decentralize mental health services, empowering individuals and promoting community-based support networks. In the medium term, the Photovoice Work Manual and Practical Guide will benefit practitioners and tertiary institutes. In the short term, parents of children with SEN, along with family members, schoolteachers, and the general public, will directly benefit, fostering understanding and support for caregivers. This project’s multifaceted approach will have wide-ranging effects on various stakeholders, enhancing the well-being of caregivers and improving the overall support system for children with SEN. The project will yield two peer-reviewed journal manuscripts and two conference presentations to share research findings. A Photovoice Work Manual and Practical Guide will be developed, accompanied by a Photovoice exhibition. A dedicated website will be created for publicizing the project and providing information on its outcomes.