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. 2025 Jul;47(15):3822-3840.
doi: 10.1080/09638288.2024.2438999. Epub 2024 Dec 10.

Experiences and factors affecting poverty among families raising a child with a disability: a scoping review

Sally Lindsay  1   2   3 , Janice Phonepraseuth  1 , Sarah Leo  1
Affiliations

Experiences and factors affecting poverty among families raising a child with a disability: a scoping review

Sally Lindsay et al. Disabil Rehabil. 2025 Jul.

Abstract

Purpose: Children with disabilities and their families are more likely to live in poverty than those without a disability. However, little is known about their lived experiences and the circumstances that influence their socio-economic condition. The aim of this study was to understand the experiences and factors affecting poverty among families raising children with disabilities.

Methods: A scoping review was conducted while searching eight international databases (Embase, Healthstar, Medline, PsycINFO, Econlit, Scopus, Web of Science, and Sociological Abstracts). About 2351 articles were independently screened, and 48 studies met the inclusion criteria.

Results: The 48 studies included in the review involved 18 countries over a 26-year period. Our findings highlight the following key trends: (1) rates and extent of poverty, (2) types of poverty (i.e., material hardship, cost burdens, food insecurity), and (3) factors affecting poverty among children and youth with disabilities and their families (i.e., type and severity of disability, age, race/ethnicity, single-parent households, employment status, education, financial supports, type of health insurance, and community and societal factors).

Conclusions: There is an urgent need for anti-poverty policies, interventions and resources to help support families raising a child with a disability.

Keywords: Disability; children; poverty; social determinants of health; socio-economic status.

Plain language summary

This review illustrates the importance of clinicians adopting an approach that considers the socio-demographic situations of children and their families that highlights how living in poor situations can interact with other factors, thus having a negative impact on their health.Clinicians should consider the risk of exposure to poverty among families raising a child with a disability and the potential impact this could have on their access to health care and well-being.Clinicians and service providers should advocate for more supports, resources and anti-poverty interventions to help address the needs of children with disabilities and their families who live in poverty.

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