A necessary evil: Residential placement of people with intellectual disability among the Palestinian minority in Israel

Kareem Nasser, Dalia Sachs, Amalia Sa'ar

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Among the Palestinian minority in Israel, residential placement of people with intellectual disabilities [ID] is relatively new and steadily increasing, but poorly studied. A qualitative design was used to explore the process of residential placement decision by 18 parents of people with ID through semi-structured interviews. Sampling was purposive and data was analyzed thematically. Four main themes emerged representing parents’ perceptions and experiences along the placement decision-making process, together indicating an experience of deeply ‘conflicted parenting’: (a) initial resistance to placement and its perception as abandonment and parental failure; (b) attrition following cumulative difficulties and lack of assistance; (c) resignation and reframing of placement as a necessary evil; (d) relief mixed with guilt, pain, and ambivalence following placement. Residential placement process proved to be linked primarily to lack of resources and of accessible culturally-competent services within the community. Parents’ experience and behavior along the placement decision process reflect relentless efforts to practice “good parenting”. This concept is culturally specific and in the present case entails commitment to consider the individual child's wellbeing together with the family's as a whole. Implications for practice are suggested.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)115-124
Number of pages10
JournalResearch in Developmental Disabilities
Volume60
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2017

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Elsevier Ltd

Keywords

  • Culturally-competent services
  • Intellectual disability
  • Parenting roles and values
  • Residential placement

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology

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