Family and disability research

Publications

Here is a list of FDRC publications* (2007 -) related to sexuality, relationships and parenthood.

*This list is limited to contributions authored or co-authored by Dr. McConnell and or his graduate research students. To see contributions authored by other FDRC researchers and collaborators follow the links in the Our Team section of this website.

Sexuality, Relationships & Parenthood

Books

Llewellyn, G., Traustadóttir, R., McConnell, D., & Sigurjónsdóttir, H. (2010). Parents with intellectual disabilities: past, present and futures. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.

Book chapters

McConnell, D., Aunos, M., Pacheco, L., & Hahn, L. (2020). Reconsidering sexuality, relationships and parenthood for adults with intellectual disabilities. In the APA Handbook of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (L. Glidden, Editor-in-Chief). American Psychological Association.

McConnell, D., & Hahn, L. (2019). Growing up with parents with disabilities. In S. Hupp & J. Jewell (Eds). Encyclopedia of Child and Adolescent Development. John Wiley & Sons. DOI 10.1002/9781119171492.wecad240

Park, E., McConnell, D., Caine, V., & Minaker, J. (2016). Narrative Threads in the Accounts of Women with Learning Difficulties Who Have Been Criminalized. In H. Badry, D. Fuchs, D. Kikulwe (Eds.). Transforming Child Welfare. Regina SK: University of Regina Press.

Llewellyn, G. & McConnell, D. (2010). You have to prove yourself all the time: people with learning disability parenting. In G Grant, P Goward, M Richardson, P Ramcharan (Eds.), Learning Disability: A life cycle approach to valuing people (2nd Edition). Open University Press.

Journal articles

Reeves, P., McConnell, D., & Phelan, S. K. (2023). The (radical) role of belonging in shifting and expanding understandings of social inclusion for people labelled with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Sociology of Health & Illness, 45(2), 317-330. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9566.13574

Pacheco, L., Aunos, M., Feldman, M., & McConnell, D. (2022). Improving services for parents with intellectual disability and their families: Views of Canadian social service workers. Health & Social Care in the Community, 30(6), e5570-e5578. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.13982

McConnell, D., & Phelan, S. K. (2022). Intimate partner violence against women with intellectual disability: A relational framework for inclusive, trauma‐informed social services. Health & Social Care in the Community, 30(6), e5156-e5166. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.13932

Stefánsdóttir, S., Rice, J., Aunos, M., & McConnell, D. (2022). Appropriate Measures? Supporting Parents with ID in the Context of the CRPD. Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research, 24(1), 29–41. DOI: http://doi.org/10.16993/sjdr.820

McConnell, D., & Phelan, S. (2022). Devolution of eugenic practices: Sexual and reproductive oppression of people with ascribed intellectual disability. Social Science & Medicine, Volume 298. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.114877

Pacheco, L., Aunos, M., Feldman, M., & McConnell, D. (2022). Reasonable efforts? Child maltreatment investigations and service referrals of parents with ascribed cognitive impairments in Canada. Child Maltreatment, 27(3), 501-510. https://doi.org/10.1177/10775595211001109.

McConnell, D., Aunos, M., Pacheco, L., Savage, A., Hahn, L., & Feldman, M. (2021). Screening for parental intellectual disability: A first step in planning and delivering adapted health and human services? Journal of Family Social Work, 24(4), 282-298. https://doi.org/10.1080/10522158.2021.1974142.

McConnell, D., More, R., Aunos, M., & Pacheco, L. & Feldman, M. (2021). Childhood experience, family support and parenting with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities. 47 (2), 152-164. https://doi.org/10.3109/13668250.2021.1929880.

McConnell, D., Aunos, M., Pacheco, L., & Feldman, M. (2020). Child maltreatment investigations in Canada: main and moderating effects of primary caregiver cognitive impairment. Child Maltreatment, 26 (1), 115-125. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077559520910806.

McConnell, D., Feldman, M., & Aunos, M. (2017). Parents and parenting with intellectual disabilities: An expanding field of research. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 30(3), 419-422. https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12362.

Pacheco, L., & McConnell, D. (2017). Love and resistance of mothers with intellectual disability from ethnocultural communities in Canada. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 30(3), 501-510. https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12342.

Wołowicz‐Ruszkowska, A., & McConnell, D. (2017). The experience of adult children of mothers with intellectual disability: A qualitative retrospective study from Poland. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 30(3), 482-491. https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12322.

McConnell, D., Hahn, L., Savage, A. et al. (2016). Suicidal ideation among adults with disability in western Canada: A Brief Report. Community Mental Health Journal, 52, 519–526. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-015-9911-3.

McConnell, D., & Pacheco, L. (2016). Parents and parenting with intellectual disabilities: Messages from research. Frontline: The Irish voice of intellectual disability, 104, http://frontline-ireland.com/parents-parenting-intellectual-disabilities-messages-research/

Park, E., Caine, V., McConnell, D., & Minaker, J. (2016, May). Ethical Tensions as Educative Spaces in Narrative Inquiry. In Forum: Qualitative Social Research (Vol. 17, No. 2). Freie Universität Berlin.

McConnell, D., Feldman, M., Aunos, M., Pacheco, L., Savage, A., Hahn, L., Dubé, C., Chenier, S., & Park, E (2015). Ameliorating psychosocial risk among mothers with intellectual impairment. Community Mental Health Journal, 22, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-015-9979-9.

Savage, A., & McConnell, D. (2015). The marital status of disabled women in Canada: a population-based analysis. Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research, 1-9.

Hyun, E., Hahn, L., & McConnell, D. (2014). Experiences of people with learning disabilities in the criminal justice system. British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 42 (4), 308-314.

Isbel, S., Chapparo, C., McConnell, D., & Ranka, J. (2014). Home-based constraint induced movement therapy post-stroke. Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2 (4), Article 3.

McConnell, D. (Fall 2013). The out-of-home-placement of children born to parents with intellectual disability. CW360o, The Intersection of Child Welfare and Disability, pp. 8-10.

Feldman, M., McConnell, D., & Aunos, M. (2012). Parental Cognitive Impairment, Mental Health and Child Outcomes in a Child Protection Population. Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 5, 66-90.

McConnell, D., Feldman, M., Aunos, M., & Prasad, N.G. (2011). Parental cognitive impairment and child maltreatment in Canada. Child Abuse and Neglect, 5, 621-632.

Westad, C. & McConnell, D. (2011). Child Welfare Involvement of Mothers with Mental Health Issues. Community Mental Health Journal, 48, 29-37.

Mayes, R., Llewellyn, G. & McConnell, D. (2011). “That's who I choose to be”: The mother identity for women with intellectual disabilities. Women's Studies International Forum, 34(2), 112-120.

McConnell, D., Feldman, M., Aunos, M. & Prasad, N. (2010). Child maltreatment investigations involving parents with cognitive impairments in Canada. Child Maltreatment, 16(1), 21-32.

Mill, A., McConnell, D. & Mayes, R. (2010). Negotiating autonomy within the family: The experiences of young adults with intellectual disabilities. British Journal of learning Disabilities, 38, 192-200.

Hill, A., McConnell, D. & Mayes, R. (2010). Transition to independent accommodation for adults with schizophrenia. Psychiatric Rehabilitation, 33 (3), 228-231.

McConnell, D., Llewellyn, G., Dalziel, A., Laidlaw K., & Hindmarsh, G. (2009). Strengthening the social relationships of mothers with learning difficulties. British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 37, 66-75.

Llewellyn, G., Mayes, R., & McConnell, D. (2008). Towards acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual disability as parents. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disability, 21, 293-295.

McConnell, D (lead author) (2008). Parents labeled with intellectual disability: Position of the IASSID SIRG on Parents and Parenting with Intellectual Disabilities. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disability, 21, 296-307.

McConnell, D., Matthews, J., Llewellyn G., Mildon, R., & Hindmarsh, G. (2008). Healthy Start. A national strategy for children of parents with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 5 (3), 194-202.

McConnell, D., Mayes, R., Llewellyn, G. (2008). Pre-partum distress in women with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 33 (2), 177-183.

Mayes, R., Llewellyn, G., & McConnell, D. (2008). Active negotiation: Mothers with intellectual disabilities creating their social support networks. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disability, 21. 341-350.

McConnell, D., Mayes, R., Llewellyn, G. (2008). Women with intellectual disability at risk of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 52, 529-535.

Selected published abstracts

Pacheco, L., Rice, J., Aunos, M., & McConnell, D. (2021). Injustice in the child welfare system: Research on parents with intellectual disability. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 34, 1186-1187.

Brown, H., Mitra, M., Horner, W., & McConnell, D. (2021). Prenatal and postpartum health disparities in women with intellectual and developmental disabilities: Generating recommendations for action. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 34 (5), 1187.

Aunos, M., McConnell, D., Pacheco, L., Savage, A., Feldman, M., & Laliberté, T. (2018). Collaborating for the benefit of families headed by parents with intellectual disabilities: a service pathways initiative. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 31 (5), 601.

McConnell, D., & Pacheco, L. (2018). Impact of loneliness on parents with intellectual disability. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 31 (4), 607

McConnell, D., Aunos, M., Feldman, M., & Pacheco, L. (2016). Child welfare process and outcomes for children of parents with intellectual impairment. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 60, 7-8, 705-705.

Hahn, L., & McConnell, D. (2016). An evidence-resistant strain of disablism: Parents and parenting with intellectual impairment. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 60, 7-8, 675-675.

McConnell, D., Feldman, M., Granqvist, P., Sigurjonsdottir, H., Pacheco, L., Llewellyn, G., & Mildon, R. (2014). Pushing the frontiers of knowledge in the field of parents and parenting with intellectual disability [1]” “there is nothing so practical as a good theory”. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 27, 379.

McConnell, D., Emerson, E., Llewellyn, G., Horglund, B., Laliberte, T., Hindmarsh, G., Hahn, L., Aunos, M., & Wing Man, N. (2014). Pushing the frontiers of knowledge in the field of parents and parenting with intellectual disability [2]: utilizing population-based and administrative data to push the frontiers of knowledge. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 27, 379.

McConnell, D. (2012, plenary). Article 23. The right to marriage and family. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 56 (7-8), 655.

Pacheco, L., & McConnell, D. (2012). The experiences of mothers with an intellectual disability from cultural communities. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 56 (7-8), 797.

McConnell, D., Feldman, M., & Aunos, M. (2010). Parents with intellectual disability and child maltreatment in Canada. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 23, 461.

McConnell, D., & Llewellyn, G. (2010). Building systems capacity to support parents with ID in Australia. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 23, 461.

Wade, C., Mildon, R., Llewellyn, G., McConnell, D., & Hindmarsh, G. (2010). Healthy start: evaluation findings and future directions. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 23, 461.

McConnell, D., Llewellyn, G., & Hindmarsh, G. (2008). Strengthening the social relationships of mothers with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 52 (8&9), 721.

McConnell, D., Feldman, M., & Aunos, M. (2008). Child welfare investigation outcomes for parents with cognitive impairment and their children in Canada. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 52 (8&9), 722.

McConnell, D., Aunos, M., & Feldman, M. (2008). Child protection concerns and correlates of alleged child maltreatment: The case of parents with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 52 (8&9), 721.

Earlier Contributions ( - 2007)*

*D McConnell, Australian Family & Disability Studies Research Collaboration, University of Sydney

Booth, T., McConnell, D., & Booth, W. (2006). Temporal discrimination and parents with learning difficulties in the child protection system. British Journal of Social Work, 36 (6), 997-1015.

Mayes, R,. Llewellyn, G., McConnell, D. (2006). Misconception: The experience of pregnancy for women with intellectual disabilities. Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research, 8 (2-3), 120-131.

McConnell, D., & Llewellyn, G. (2006). Health of mothers of school-age children with disabilities. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 30 (6), 572-4.

McConnell, D., Llewellyn, G.& Ferronato, L. (2006). Context contingent decision-making in child protection practice. International Journal of Social Welfare, 15, 230-239.

McConnell, D., Llewellyn, G., Matthews, J., Hindmarsh, G., Mildon, R., & Wade, C. (2006) Healthy Start: a national strategy for children of parents with learning difficulties. Developing Practice: The Child Youth and Family Work Journal, 16, pp. 34-42.

Schneider, J., Wedgewood, N., Llewellyn, G., & McConnell, D. (2006). Families changed by and accommodating to the adolescent years. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 50 (12), 926-936.

Booth, T., Booth, W., & McConnell, D. (2005). Care Proceedings and Parents with Learning Difficulties: Comparative Prevalence and Outcomes in an English and Australian Court Sample. Child & Family Social Work, 10, 353-360.

Booth, T., Booth, W., & McConnell, D. (2005). The prevalence and outcomes of care proceedings involving parents with learning difficulties in the family courts. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 18, 7-17.

Llewellyn, G., McConnell, D., Thompson, K., & Whybrow, S. (2005). Out of home placement of school-age children with disabilities and high support needs. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 18, 1-6.

McConnell, D., & Llewellyn, G. (2005). Social inequality, the deviant parent and child protection practice. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 40 (4), 553-566.

Sharpe, L., Butow, P., Smith, C., McConnell, D., & Clarke, S. (2005). The relationship between available support, unmet needs and caregiver burden in patients with advanced cancer and their carers. Psycho-Oncology, 14(2), 102-114.

Sharpe, L., Butow, P., Smith, C., McConnell, D., & Clarke, S. (2005). Changes in quality of life in patients with advanced cancer: Evidence of response shift and response restriction. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 58, 497-504.

Booth, T., Booth, W., & McConnell, D. (2004). Parents with learning difficulties, care proceedings and the family courts: threshold decisions and the moral matrix. Child and Family Law Quarterly, 16, (4), 409-421.

Llewellyn, G. & McConnell, D. (2004). Mothering capacity and social milieu (pp. 174-192). In S Esdail & J Olsen (Eds.), Mothering Occupations: Challenge, Agency and Participation. FA Davis.

Llewellyn, G., Balandin, S., Dew, A., & McConnell, D. (2004). Promoting healthy, productive ageing: plan early, plan well. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 29 (4), 366-369.

Booth, T., Booth, W., & McConnell, D. (2004). Family trials. Disability, Pregnancy & Parenthood International, 45, pp. 13-14.

Llewellyn, G., McConnell, D., Honey, A., Mayes, R., & Russo, D. (2003). Promoting health and home safety for children of parents with intellectual disability: A randomised controlled trial. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 24 (6), 405-431.

Llewellyn, G., McConnell, D., & Ferronato, L. (2003). Prevalence and outcomes for parents with disabilities and their children in an Australian court sample. Child Abuse and Neglect, 27, 235-251.

Llewellyn, G., McConnell, D., & Mayes, R. (2003). Health of mothers with intellectual limitations. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 27 (1), 17-19.

McConnell, D., Llewellyn, G., Mayes, R., Russo, D., & Honey, A. (2003). Developmental profiles of children born to mothers with intellectual disability. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 28(2), 122-134.

Llewellyn, G., McConnell, D., Russo, D., Mayes, R., & Honey, A. (2002). Home based programs for parents with learning difficulties: lessons from practice. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 15, 341-353.

McConnell, D., & Llewellyn, G. (2002). Stereotypes, parents with intellectual disability and child protection. The Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 24 (3), 297-317.

Llewellyn, G., & McConnell, D. (2002). Mothers with learning difficulties and their support networks. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 46, 17-34.

McConnell, D., Llewellyn, G., & Ferronato, L. (2002). Disability and decision-making in Australian care proceedings. International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family, 16, 273-301.

Strike, J., & McConnell, D. (2002). Parents with intellectual disability: Just the same, only different. Interaction, 15 (4), pp. 11-15.

Strike, R., & McConnell, D. (2002). Look at me, listen to me, I have something important to say. Sexuality and Disability, 20 (1), 53-63.

Griffin, S.D., & McConnell, D. (2001). Australian occupational therapy practice in acute care settings. Occupational Therapy International, 8(3), 184-197.

McConnell, D., & Llewellyn, G. (2000). Disability and discrimination in statutory child protection proceedings. Disability and Society, 15 (6), 883-895.

Llewellyn, G., McConnell, D., Cant, R., & Westbrook, M (1999). Support networks of mothers with an intellectual disability: An exploratory study. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 24 (1), 7-26.

McConnell, D., Butow, P.N., & Tattersall, M.H.N. (1999). Improving the letters we write: An exploration of doctor-doctor communication in cancer care. British Journal of Cancer, 80 (3/4), 427-437.

McConnell, D., Butow, P.N., & Tattersall, M.H.N. (1999). Audiotapes and letters to patients: The practice and views of oncologists, surgeons, and general practitioners. British Journal of Cancer, 79 (11/12), 1782-1788.

Llewellyn, G., McConnell, D., & Bye, R. (1998). Perception of service needs by parents with intellectual disability, their significant others and their service workers. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 19 (3), 245-260.

McConnell, D. & Llewellyn, G. (1998). Parental disability and the threat of child removal. Family Matters, Spring/Summer, 51, 33-36.

Butow, PN., Brindle, E., McConnell, D., Boakes, B. & Tattersall, M. (1997). Information booklets about cancer: factors influencing patient satisfaction and utilisation. Patient Education and Counseling, 33 (2), 129-141.

Llewellyn, G., Bye, R., & McConnell, D. (1997). Parents with intellectual disability and mainstream family agencies. International Journal of Practical Approaches to Disability, 21 (3), 9-13.

Llewellyn, G., McConnell, D., & Bailey, M. (1997). Developing a screening instrument for teacher referral of students with special needs to therapy services. Australasian Journal of Special Education, 21 (1), 4-17.

McConnell, D., Llewellyn, G., & Bye, R. (1997). Providing services for parents with intellectual disability: Parent needs and service constraints. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 22 (1), 5-17.

McConnell, D. (1995). Processes underlying clumsiness: A review of perspectives. Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 15 (3), 33-52.

McConnell, D. (1994). Clinical Observations and Developmental Coordination Disorder: Is there a relationship? Occupational Therapy International, 1 (4), 278-291.

Resources/ Instruments

McConnell, D., Mackenzie, K., Hindmarsh, G, Llewellyn, G. (2006). Healthy Start for Me and My Baby. Commonwealth of Australia. ISBN 1 86487 840 1

McConnell, D., Maple, M., Cameron, J., Hindmarsh, G., & Llewellyn, G. (2006). Australian Supported Learning Program. Me and My Community. Copyright Australian Supported Parenting Consortium.

Llewellyn, G., & McConnell, D. (2003). Healthy and safe: An Australian Parent Education Kit. Copyright. The Crown in the right of the State of New South Wales.

McConnell, D., & Llewellyn, G. (1998). The Support Interview Guide. University of Sydney, Australia.

Selected published abstracts

McConnell, D. (2006). Parents with intellectual disability and the prospect of child removal. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 19, 243.

Mayes, R., Llewellyn, G., & McConnell, D. (2006). Becoming a mother: The mother identity for women with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 19, 243.

Llewellyn, G., McConnell, D., & Thompson, K. (2004). Socio-economic context and family well-being. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 48 (4&5), 371.

McConnell, D., Mayes, R., & Llewellyn, G. (2004). Antenatal care and birth outcomes for women with learning difficulties. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 48 (4&5), 381.

Mayes, R., Llewellyn, G., & McConnell, D. (2004). Becoming a mother: The experiences of women with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 48 (4&5), 381.

Spencer, M., Llewellyn, G., McConnell, D., & Heard, R. (2004). Improving practice: Assisting generic family support workers assess the support needs of parents with intellectual disability. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 48 (4&5), 381.

Russo, D., McConnell, D., Llewellyn, G., Mayes, R., & Honey, A. (2000). Challenges and rewards of home visiting. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 44 (3&4), 449.

Llewellyn, G., & McConnell, D. (2000). Supportive ties of mothers with intellectual disability. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 44 (3&4), 370.

Llewellyn, G., McConnell, D., Honey, A., Mayes, R., & Russo, D. (2000). Effectiveness of parent education for parents with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 44 (3&4), 370.

Mayes, R., McConnell, D., Llewellyn, G., Russo, D., & Honey, A. (2000). Assessing the health status of parents with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 44 (3&4), 383.

McConnell, D., & Llewellyn, G. (2000). Disability and discrimination in statutory child protection proceedings. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 44 (3&4), 387.

Llewellyn, G., & McConnell, D. (2000). Supportive ties of mothers with intellectual disability. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 44 (3&4), 370.

Llewellyn, G., McConnell, D., & Dunn, R. (2004). Parent and worker expectations and experiences of early childhood services for parents with children with a disability. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 48 (4&5), 372.

McConnell, D., & Llewellyn, G. (2000). Disability and discrimination in statutory child protection proceedings. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 44 (3&4), 387.

Llewellyn, G., McConnell, D., & Bye, R. (1996). Support and service needs of parents with intellectual disability. The British Journal of Developmental Disabilities, XLII (83), 45.