The impact of multiple sclerosis on parenting: a mixed-method systematic review

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dc.contributor.authorScallan Dowd, Eva
dc.contributor.authorO'Keeffe, Fiadhnait
dc.contributor.funderAll Ireland Multiple Sclerosis Research Network (AIMS-RN) , AIMS-RN
dc.date.accessioned2026-03-09T15:50:07Z
dc.date.available2026-03-09T15:50:07Z
dc.date.issued2025-10-31
dc.description.abstractPurpose: MS symptoms can interfere with daily functioning, making parental responsibilities more challenging. This review synthesises quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method evidence to determine how MS affects parenting capabilities and experiences. Methods and materials: This review follows PRISMA and JBI guidelines. Systematic searches were conducted across Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, PsychINFO, PubMed, and Scopus databases, yielding 1,792 results. These were screened using SPIDER framework criteria to identify studies examining parenting measures and experiences amongst parents with MS. Results: This review included 22 studies, eleven quantitative, nine qualitative, and two mixed-method studies. Overall, 2,466 parents with MS participated in the studies included. Synthesised findings indicated that MS significantly impacts parenting, predominantly negatively. Four main themes emerged from the synthesis: Risk and protective factors related to parenting with MS; Impact of parental MS on parenting activities and daily family life; Emotional impact of MS on parents and views of relationships within the family; Managing and coping as a parent with MS. Conclusion: Many parents with MS encounter substantial daily challenges due to fatigue, limited mobility, and cognitive difficulties. Several potentially helpful supports were identified for parents with MS, including mental health supports, social support networks, and assistance with family communication about MS diagnosis.en
dc.description.sponsorshipThis research was funded by the All Ireland Multiple Sclerosis Research Network (AIMS-RN) under the AIMS-RNSummer Fellowship Scheme.
dc.description.versionAccepted Version
dc.format.extent17
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen
dc.identifier.authororcidScallan Dowd, Eva
dc.identifier.authororcidO'Keeffe, Fiadhnait§0009-0004-8233-8124
dc.identifier.citationScallan Dowd, E & O'Keeffe, F 2025, 'The impact of multiple sclerosis on parenting: a mixed-method systematic review', Disability and Rehabilitation, , vol. 48, no. 8, pp. 2226-2242. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2025.2577266
dc.identifier.doi10.1080/09638288.2025.2577266
dc.identifier.endpage2242
dc.identifier.issued8
dc.identifier.otherORCID: /0009-0004-8233-8124/work/197866867
dc.identifier.startpage2226
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10468/18612
dc.identifier.volume48
dc.language.isoen
dc.relation.urihttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41174823/
dc.relation.urihttps://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105020766449
dc.rights© 2025, informa UK limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
dc.rights.accessrightsembargoed access
dc.rights.licensenameAttribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
dc.rights.urihttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
dc.statusPeer reviewed
dc.subjectMultiple sclerosis
dc.subjectParental multiple sclerosis
dc.subjectParenting
dc.subjectSystematic review
dc.subject[AppliedPsychology]
dc.subjectparental multiple sclerosis
dc.subjectsystematic review
dc.subjectparenting
dc.titleThe impact of multiple sclerosis on parenting: a mixed-method systematic reviewen
dc.typeReview
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