Overlooked Children in Need (ORCHID): A Study on the Development and Well-Being of Children of Parents with Disabilities

Research problem and specific questionsPeople with disabilities are disproportionately affected by poverty, unemployment, social exclusion, and limited access to healthcare, among other disadvantages, which can affect their children across the life course. However, little is known about the needs of these children in a Swedish context.

Our aim is therefore to investigate the association between parental disability and child outcomes from birth to young adulthood, and to evaluate contributing and buffering factors, including the policy environment.Data and methodThe project will utilise multigenerational linked longitudinal data from Swedish national registers on all children and youth aged 0-30-years (1990-2022).

We will study the associations between parental disability status and a range of indicators of child development and well-being, including perinatal health, mental health, child welfare recipiency, and education. Nationally representative survey data will be analysed as a complement to the register information.

Mediation analysis will be used to estimate the extent to which adverse factors explain any child outcomes associated with parental disability.

We will also evaluate the impact of disability rights legislation on children of parents with disabilities using difference-in-differences analysis.Societal relevance and utilisationThe project will generate insights into the disadvantages of children of parents with disabilities and identify potential gaps in health and social services available to these families.

As such, our findings will provide guidance to parents, policymakers, service providers, and health and care workers to develop needs-based and family-centred care and support.

Plan for project realisationIn Year 1, the project will focus on seeking ethical approval, data updates, and data cleaning.

Statistical analyses using in-house data will also begin at receiving ethical approval, allowing sufficient time for manuscript submissions, revisions, dissemination activities, and further analyses in Years 2 and 3.

The project will involve a reference group consisting of parents with disabilities and adult children of parents with disabilities. The budget covers part-time salaries for four researchers and compensation for the reference group´s participation.