Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, Ahead of Print.
This study examines family distress and quality of life among families of children with disabilities during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel. It considers the role of family resources, a sense of community, and the services provided by the Israeli family-centered program (IFCP). One hundred eighty-two parents of children with disabilities participated in this study through an online survey. Structural equation modeling showed that extensive family resources, better operation of the IFCP, and a sense of community were associated with a better quality of life. Lack of family resources was associated with family distress. A regression-based path analysis indicated that this association was moderated by components of the IFCP. Family-centered services were associated with a family’s quality of life and experience of distress in times of national crisis. The results highlight the importance of the partnership between parents of children with disabilities and service providers.