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Giving could be as important as receiving: the role of emotional and instrumental support in family interactions among Saudi Arabian families with children with disabilities

Author

Listed:
  • Arwa Alwadei

    (King Saud University)

  • Susanne Schwab

    (University of Vienna
    North-West University)

  • Lamia Alotaibi

    (Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University)

  • Ghaleb Alnahdi

    (Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University
    King Salman Center for Disability Research)

Abstract

This study examines family quality of life (FQOL) in Saudi Arabian families with children who have disabilities, emphasizing the dual roles of giving and receiving social support, alongside economic factors. Prior literature highlights individual influences, including sociodemographic variables and types of disabilities, and identifies social support and resilience as significant contributors to FQOL. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 200 family members of children with intellectual disability (n = 142) or other disabilities (n = 58). Five domains of FQOL were measured: family interaction, parenting, emotional well-being, physical/material well-being, and disability-related support. Multiple regression analyses revealed that both giving and receiving emotional and instrumental support were significant predictors of family interactions, with giving support showing strong associations. Additionally, maternal education level was linked to emotional well-being and disability-related support, while higher monthly income correlated with improved physical/material well-being. The findings suggest the importance of evaluating FQOL predictors across specific domains, revealing that both giving and receiving support—particularly emotional support—play crucial roles in strengthening family interactions and parenting. Moreover, economic stability and maternal education level are essential for emotional and material well-being within these families.

Suggested Citation

  • Arwa Alwadei & Susanne Schwab & Lamia Alotaibi & Ghaleb Alnahdi, 2025. "Giving could be as important as receiving: the role of emotional and instrumental support in family interactions among Saudi Arabian families with children with disabilities," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:12:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-025-05912-7
    DOI: 10.1057/s41599-025-05912-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nathaniel Scherer & Ibone Verhey & Hannah Kuper, 2019. "Depression and anxiety in parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities: A systematic review and meta-analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(7), pages 1-18, July.
    2. Ghaleb H. Alnahdi & Arwa Alwadei & Flora Woltran & Susanne Schwab, 2022. "Measuring Family Quality of Life: Scoping Review of the Available Scales and Future Directions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-26, November.
    3. Julia Jansen-van Vuuren & Rosemary Lysaght & Beata Batorowicz & Solomon Dawud & Heather Michelle Aldersey, 2021. "Family Quality of Life and Support: Perceptions of Family Members of Children with Disabilities in Ethiopia," Disabilities, MDPI, vol. 1(3), pages 1-24, August.
    4. Fina Ferrer & Rosa Vilaseca & Joan Guàrdia Olmos, 2017. "Positive perceptions and perceived control in families with children with intellectual disabilities: relationship to family quality of life," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 51(2), pages 903-918, March.
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