Mothers of Children with LD and ADHD: Empowerment through Online Communication

Abstract

Mothers of children with learning disabilities (LD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) were notified of the possibility that their online community was going to be closed. They immediately responded with messages about the significance of the community to their lives and distress that the site would not continue to be available. The sample in the study discussed in this article consisted of 142 mothers who wrote 270 messages during 14 days. They had been registered users of the online community from 1 to 79 months. The number of messages they wrote was correlated with the length of time they had been users of the site, revealing increased involvement. Content analysis of the messages revealed two major themes (and a variety of subthemes) for valuing the online community: (a) empowerment through provisions of valid and reliable information, adapted to individual needs; and (b) empowerment through the emotional support of the online community, which provided empathy, companionship, and withholding of judgment. The findings provide an in-depth understanding of mothers' needs for empowerment through an online community. They also can be used to help sensitize teachers and to plan parental support programs.