title: Comparison of factors influencing mothers' perceptions about the futures of their adolescent children with and without disabilities.
abstract: A qualitative methodology was used to compare specific experiences and ecological factors that 40 mothers perceived as influencing their expectations for their adolescents (20 with severe disabilities and 20 vocational education students with no documented disabilities). Analyses of all responses revealed that mothers identified many of the same factors as influencing perceptions about their adolescents' futures. Children's personalities and school- and community-provided supports were mentioned as important to children's success. Mothers of adolescents with disabilities described their children more positively. Mothers of vocational education students were concerned about their children's job prospects, whereas mothers of students with disabilities tended to emphasize limitations of support by the adult service system. Social relationships were more of a concern for mothers of youth with disabilities.
authors.affiliation: School of Education, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523, USA.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Lehmann
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Roberto
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001240:Aspirations, Psychological; D001290:Attitude; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D012016:Reference Values; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational / Q000523:psychology*; D014829:Vocational Education