A Comparative Study of Parent Involvement between Single Family Parents and Joint Family Parents of Children with Special Needs

The aim of the present study was to compare parental involvement of single family parents and joint family parents of children with special needs. Participants in this study were chosen using a purposive sampling technique. The sample comprised 50 parents of special needs children from Jaipur, Rajasthan, of which 25 were from single families (25 mothers and 25 fathers) and 25 were from joint families (25 mothers and 25 fathers). Parent Involvement Scale developed by Dr. Rita Chopra & Dr. Surabala Sahoo was used. The findings demonstrated a substantial difference between parent involvement of single family parents and joint family parents of children with special needs. However, joint family parents of children with special needs have a higher level of parental participation than single family parents of children with special needs. When we compare several areas of parental involvement, we find that joint family parents had better school, home, and parent-teacher relationships than nuclear family parents. The reason for this outcome could be that joint family parents provide greater safety, time, direction, family member support, social support, economic assistance, and emotional support than single family parents, according to the discussion following the study. Keywords: Children with special needs, family, parent involvement, single and joint family parent.