htp://www.ajod.org Open Access African Journal of Disability ISSN: (Online) 2226-7220, (Print) 2223-9170 Page 1 of 13 Original Research Read online: Scan this QR code with your smart phone or mobile device to read online. Authors: Julia Jansen-van Vuuren 1 Solomon Dawud 2 Rosemary Lysaght 1 Beata Batorowicz 1 Heather M. Aldersey 1 Afliatons: 1 School of Rehabilitaton Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada 2 Community Based Rehabilitaton, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia Corresponding author: Julia Jansen-van Vuuren, 17jmjv@queensu.ca Dates: Received: 17 Aug. 2022 Accepted: 27 Oct. 2022 Published: 16 Feb. 2023 How to cite this artcle: Jansen-van Vuuren, J., Dawud, S., Lysaght, R., Batorowicz, B. & Aldersey, H.M., 2023, ‘Family quality of life and children with disability in Ethiopia: The role of support providers’, African Journal of Disability 12(0), a1124. htps://doi. org/10.4102/ajod.v12i0.1124 Copyright: © 2023. The Authors. Licensee: AOSIS. This work is licensed under the Creatve Commons Atributon License. Introducton Family quality of life (FQOL) as a construct of interest with regard to disability has developed in recognition of the effect of disability on the collective family unit (Brown, Kyrkou & Samuel 2016; Samuel et al. 2012). Zuna et al. (2010) defined FQOL as ‘a dynamic sense of well-being of the family, collectively and subjectively defined and informed by its members, in which individual and family-level needs interact’ (p. 262). Building on the theory and framework of Zuna and colleagues, Chiu et al. (2013) updated the FQOL framework to emphasise family strengths as well as needs. According to this FQOL theory, individual-member and family-unit factors interact with each other and support factors (at individual and family levels) within the context of systems, policies, programmes and societal values, to determine FQOL and other child outcomes. Research on FQOL has primarily occurred in high-income contexts, even though globally, 80% of children with disabilities live in low-income contexts (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund [UNICEF] 2020). Contextual values, norms and environments play a critical role in FQOL; therefore, understanding FQOL from specific cultures and contexts is crucial to developing a global understanding of FQOL and providing appropriate support. In addition, FQOL research originated with a focus on families of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) (Brown et al. 2016), and this continues to comprise the majority of FQOL literature. Background: Family quality of life (FQOL) is an important outcome for families of children with disabilities globally and provision of support is associated with enhanced FQOL. However, FQOL research primarily focuses on conceptualisation and measurement, and originates from high-income contexts despite the fact that most children with disabilities live in low-income countries. Objectives: The authors examined how Ethiopian disability support providers practically contribute to meeting the needs of families of children with disabilities to enhance FQOL. Method: Building on a previous study exploring Ethiopian families’ perspectives on FQOL, the authors used an exploratory descriptive qualitative approach to interview various support providers. Interviews were conducted virtually (because of the coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19] pandemic) in English or with interpreting assistance. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. Results: Support providers affirmed what families had described as important for FQOL – spirituality, relationships, self-sufficiency – and recognised their enormous support needs. They described various ways to support families – emotionally, physically, materially and informationally. They also expressed challenges and their need for support to meet families’ needs. Conclusion: Ethiopian families of children with disabilities need holistic support that incorporates spirituality, the whole family’s needs and disability awareness-raising. Collaborative and committed engagement from all stakeholders is necessary to support Ethiopian families to flourish. Contribution: This study contributes to global understandings of FQOL and describes practical approaches to support families of children with disabilities in an African context. The findings of this study highlight the influence of spirituality, relationships, self-sufficiency, poverty and stigma and the need for holistic support and disability awareness-raising to enhance FQOL. Keywords: family quality of life; families; children with disabilities; support providers; Ethiopia; support; spirituality. Family quality of life and children with disability in Ethiopia: The role of support providers Read online: Scan this QR code with your smart phone or mobile device to read online.