social ecology of child/family resilience

Here is a list of FDRC publications* (2007 -) related to the social ecology of child and family resilience

*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.

Social ecology of child and family resilience

Book chapters

McConnell, D., & Savage, A. (2017). The Ecocultural Project of Family Life. In K. Scorgie & D. Sobsey (Eds), Working with Families for Inclusive Education: Navigating Identity, Opportunity and Belonging (pp. 37-61). Emerald Publishing Limited. ISBN: 978-1-78714-261-9

Journal articles

Reeves, P., Ng, S. L., Harris, M., & Phelan, S. K. (2022). The exclusionary effects of inclusion today:(re) production of disability in inclusive education settings. Disability & Society, 37(4), 612-637. DOI:10.1080/09687599.2020.1828042.

Savage, A., McConnell, D., Emerson, E., & Llewellyn, G. (2020). The Subjective Well-Being of Adolescent Canadians with Disabilities. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 29(12), 3381-3397.

Hodgetts, S., McConnell, D., Zwaigenbaum, L., and Nicholas, D. (2016). The impact of autism services on mothers' psychological wellbeing. Child: Care, Health and Development, 43(1), 18-30. doi: 10.1111/cch.12398.

McConnell, D., Savage, A., Breitkreuz, R., & Sobsey, D. (2016). Sustainable Family Care for Children with Disabilities. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 25(2), 530-544.

McConnell, D., & Savage, A. (2015). Stress and resilience among families caring for children with intellectual disability: expanding the research agenda. Current Developmental Disorders Reports, 2(2), 100-109.

McConnell, D., Savage, A., Sobsey, D., & Uditsky, B. (2015). Benefit-finding or finding benefits? The positive impact of having a disabled child. Disability & Society, 30(1), 29-45. DOI: 10.1080/09687599.2014.984803.

McConnell, D., Parakkal, M., Savage, A., & Rempel, G. (2014). Parent-mediated intervention: adherence and adverse effects. Disability & Rehabilitation, 37(10), 864-872. DOI: 10.3109/09638288.2014.946157

Savage, A., McConnell, D., Emerson, E., & Llewellyn, G. (2014). Disability-based inequity on youth subjective wellbeing: Current findings and future directions. Disability & Society, 29 (6), 877-892.

Breitkreuz, R., Wunderli, L., Savage, A., & McConnell, D. (2014). Rethinking resilience in families of children with disabilities: A socioecological approach. Community, Work and Family, 17 (3), 346-365.

McConnell, D., Savage, A., & Breitkreuz, R. (2014). Resilience in families raising children with disabilities and behavior problems. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 35 (4), 833-848.

Hodgetts, S., Nicholas, D., Zwaigenbaum, L., & McConnell, D. (2014). Parents’ and professionals’ perceptions of family-centered care for children with autism spectrum disorder across service sectors. Social Science & Medicine, 96, 138-146.

Hodgetts, S., McConnell, D., Zwaigenbaum, L., & Nicholas, D. (2014). The impact of autism services on mother’s occupational balance and participation. Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, 34, 81-92.

McConnell, D, Breitkreuz, R, & Savage, A. (2012). Parent needs and family support service outcomes in a Canadian sample. Journal of Social Work, 13 (5), 447-470.

McConnell, D., Breitkreuz, R. & Savage, A. (2012). Independent evaluation of the Triple P Positive Parenting Program in family support service settings. Child & Family Social Work, 17, 43-54

McConnell, D., Breitkreuz, R. & Savage, A. (2011). From financial hardship to child difficulties: main and moderating effects of perceived social support. Child: Care, Health and Development, 37, 679-691.

Llewellyn, G., McConnell, D., Gething, L., Cant, R., & Kendig, H. (2010). Health status and coping strategies among older parent-carers of adults with intellectual disabilities in an Australian sample. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 31, 1176-1186.

Lovat, A., Mayes R., McConnell, D., & Clemson, L. (2010). Family caregivers’ perceptions of hospital-based allied health services post-Stroke: Use of the Measure of Processes of Care to investigate processes of care. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 57, 167-173.

Llewellyn, G., Bundy, A., Mayes, R., McConnell, D., Emerson, E., Bretnall, J (2010). Development and psychometric properties of the Family Life Interview. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 23, 52-62.

Grace, R., Llewellyn, G., Wedgewood, N., Fenech, M., & McConnell, D. (2008). Far from ideal: Everyday experiences of parents and teachers negotiating an inclusive early childhood experience in an Australian context. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 28 (1), 18-30.

Health focused research

Emerson, E., Savage, A., & Llewellyn, G. (2020). Prevalence of underweight, wasting and stunting among young children with a significant cognitive delay in 47 low‐income and middle‐income countries. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 64(2), 93-102.

Emerson, E., Savage, A., & Llewellyn, G. (2018). Significant cognitive delay among 3-to 4-year old children in low-and middle-income countries: prevalence estimates and potential impact of preventative interventions. International Journal of Epidemiology, 47(5), 1465-1474.

Emerson, E., & Savage, A. (2017). Acute respiratory infection, diarrhoea and fever in young children at-risk of intellectual disability in 24 low-and middle-income countries. Public Health, 142, 85-93.

Savage, A., & Emerson, E. (2016). Overweight and obesity among children at risk of intellectual disability in 20 low and middle income countries. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 60(11), 1128-1135.

Selected published abstracts

Phelan, S., & McConnell, D. (2018). Inclusion tomorrow: prioritizing child-driven culture. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 31 (4), 487.

Hodgetts, S., McConnell, D., Zwaigenbaum, L. & Nicholas, D. (2014). The relationship between autism services and maternal wellbeing. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 27, 353.

Savage, A., & McConnell, D. (2012). The well-being of Canadian youth with and without intellectual disability: A rights-based perspective. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 56 (7-8), 797.

Earlier Contributions ( - 2007)*

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Selected published abstracts

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