Feasibility of Tiyanjane
A Family–School–Community Intervention Promoting Parental Involvement in the Education of Children with Disabilities in Malawi
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 13026306 |
|---|---|
| Authors | David John Musendo (0000-0002-4965-7834, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine), Sarah Polack (0000-0002-7524-7396, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine), Blessings Chirwa (Mzuzu University), Ellen Nkambule (0000-0002-1308-5950, Mzuzu University), Claire Mukakagame (Kigali Independent University), Magnolia Chikanya (University of Cape Town), Thomas A Nkhonjera (Mzuzu University), Tiffany Smythe (0000-0003-3408-7362, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 14 |
| Issue | 5 |
| Pages | 265-265 |
| Publication date | 2025-04-25 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Social Sciences (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2076-0760 • E-ISSN: 2076-0760 |
| Publisher | MDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT) |
| DOI | 10.3390/socsci14050265 |
| OpenAlex | W4409804904 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 53 |
Evidence-based and theory-informed interventions focusing on parents of children with disabilities in low-income countries are scarce. This study examined the feasibility of Tiyanjane, a 12-week pilot intervention developed to promote parental involvement in the education of children with disabilities in Malawi. A mixed-method approach was employed based on five aspects of Bowen’s feasibility framework: acceptability, demand, implementation, practicality, and limited efficacy. Twenty-one participants (13 caregivers, four teachers, and four local leaders) participated in the study. Standardised measures, namely the Parent and Family Adjustment Scale (PAFAS) and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), were employed to evaluate changes in parental practices, adjustments, and perceived social support. Qualitative data were collected using focus groups and in-depth interviews to assess the feasibility of the intervention. Tiyanjane showed promise in promoting parental involvement in the education of children with disabilities. The intervention demonstrated high fidelity, achieving 100% retention and 95% attendance. Local resources, commitment from participants and facilitators, and strong family school–community ties enabled the practicality and execution of the intervention. Significant improvements were observed in the PAFAS and MSPSS scores across the assessed post-intervention outcomes. Minor logistical issues including resource and implementation challenges were reported. Tiyanjane was feasible for the facilitators and participants in the Malawian context. Further studies are needed to assess the programme’s adaptation, integration, and expansion in other contexts before scaling up
Developmental psychology · Intervention (counseling · Psychiatry · Clinical Psychology · Family and Disability Support Research · Medicine · Parental Involvement in Education · Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare · Psychology
The Contributing Role of Family, School, and Peer Supportive Relationships in Protecting the Mental Wellbeing of Children and Adolescents
Qualitative methods in implementation research
Poverty and disability in low- and middle-income countries
How We Design Feasibility Studies
Community participation in health services development, implementation, and evaluation
Framework for design and evaluation of complex interventions to improve health
A new framework for developing and evaluating complex interventions
Using the framework method for the analysis of qualitative data in multi-disciplinary health research
Parental involvement in the education of their children with disabilities in primary schools of Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
“I always tell my children to learn from me”
Participatory Research Methods – Choice Points in the Research Process
I might be lucky and go back to school’
Obuntu bulamu
Measuring Parenting Practices and Family Functioning with Brief and Simple Instruments
When Kinship Caregivers Became Teachers
Narrowing the inclusion gap – teachers and parents around SEN students
Experiences of identifying pre-school children with disabilities in resource limited settings – an account from Malawi, Pakistan and Uganda
Schooling children with disabilities
Guidelines for Designing and Evaluating Feasibility Pilot Studies
Using thematic analysis in psychology
The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support
Feasibility Meets Implementation Science
| Highly cited | No |
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