title: The impact of four family support programmes for people with a disability in Ireland.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This article reports on an evaluation of four family support programmes in Ireland for families of people with a physical or an intellectual disability or autism. The focus of the evaluation, which took place within a year of the programmes' completion, was on establishing whether the programmes had an impact on families' capacity to effectively support their family member.
  
  
  METHODS
  A mixed-method design was used, which included a survey (n = 38) and interviews (n = 19) with participating family members. Ethical approval for the study was given by the relevant university ethics committee.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Findings suggest that participation in the programmes enhanced knowledge, attitudes, and competencies of families and also impacted their ability to advocate for their family member and to connect with the community.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Whilst outcomes were overwhelmingly positive, further follow-up would be required to ascertain if sustained capacity building took place.
authors.affiliation: Trinity College, Ireland.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Daly
authors.affiliation: Trinity College, Ireland.
authors.forename: Danika
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sharek
authors.affiliation: Trinity College, Ireland.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: DeVries
authors.affiliation: Trinity College, Ireland cgriffi@tcd.ie.
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Griffiths
authors.affiliation: Trinity College, Ireland.
authors.forename: Fintan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sheerin
authors.affiliation: Trinity College, Ireland.
authors.forename: Padraig
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McBennett
authors.affiliation: Trinity College, Ireland.
authors.forename: Agnes
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Higgins
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D028642:Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D019989:Persons with Intellectual Disabilities / Q000523:psychology; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods*; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000592:standards*
keywords: capacity building; family support; family-centred support; family-focused support; intellectual disability