Parent-to-Parent Peer Support and Family Quality of Life

Abstract

This study utilized the Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale (FQOLS) to explore the impact of parent-to-parent peer support and demographic characteristics on family quality of life (FQOL) ratings, and expanded the scope of the instrument to include adults. Data analysis provided descriptive statistics for respondent demographics as well as each FQOLS item and domain. Independent-sample t-tests were used to determine whether a difference existed between sample means of respondents who participated in parent-peer mentoring programs and those who did not. The majority of participants indicated feeling neutral to satisfied with their overall FQOL. Families who participated in parent-to-parent peer mentoring programs indicated increased FQOL ratings, but none reached significance. Future implications for development of support models supporting FQOL is discussed.