Supporting older caregivers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities: Perceived effectiveness of peer mentors
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2025
Department/School
Social Work
Publication Title
Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services
Abstract
This study’s purpose was to determine the effectiveness of relationships between a family support navigator (FSN) and older caregivers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who participated in a family support project. The Beach Center’s Family Professional Partnership scale modified for use with older caregivers (N = 96) was found to be valid and reliable. Two factors (FSN skills and family needs) emerging from the exploratory factor analysis explained 77% of the variance in FSN satisfaction. Most caregivers were satisfied or very satisfied with their FSNs’ ability to build upon their family’s strengths. Analysis of the open-ended comments of caregiver experiences with FSNs yielded four themes (person, process, challenges, and relationships) that supported caregiver satisfaction with peer mentoring.
Link to Published Version
Recommended Citation
Marsack-Topolewski, C. N., Raoufi, G., Micakovic, S., Anderson, N., Bray, M., Janks, E., Milberger, S., & Sarah Samuel, P. (2025). Supporting older caregivers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities: Perceived effectiveness of peer mentors. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, 106(3), 946–963. https://doi.org/10.1177/10443894241291102
Comments
C. N. Marsack-Topolewski is a faculty member in EMU's School of Social Work.