Using Grief for Good: The Transformative Effect of Participatory Action Research for Parents With Intellectual Disability Who Have Experienced Child Removal

BACKGROUND: Parents with intellectual disability experience high rates of child removal, which affects their well-being. METHOD: Participatory action research (PAR) was undertaken with eight parents with intellectual disability who had children removed from their care. Parents were interviewed before and after the PAR. Three themes emerged: a safe space, revisiting the past and grief for good. RESULT: Parents reported that participating in the PAR was cathartic, allowing them to transform feelings of grief and injustice into actions that benefitted other parents. CONCLUSION: PAR can be transformative, enabling parents with intellectual disabilities to advocate for and contribute to improved practices.