Mompreneurship and resilience: Exploring entrepreneurship for mothers of children with additional needs

Casteleijn-Osorno, Regina; Hytti, Ulla Article Mompreneurship and resilience: Exploring entrepreneurship for mothers of children with additional needs BRQ Business Research Quarterly Provided in Cooperation with: Asociación Científica de Economía y Dirección de Empresas (ACEDE), Madrid Suggested Citation: Casteleijn-Osorno, Regina; Hytti, Ulla (2025) : Mompreneurship and resilience: Exploring entrepreneurship for mothers of children with additional needs, BRQ Business Research Quarterly, ISSN 2340-9444, Sage Publishing, London, Vol. 28, Iss. 3, pp. 651-677, https://doi.org/10.1177/23409444251315485 This Version is available at: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/327090 Standard-Nutzungsbedingungen: Die Dokumente auf EconStor dürfen zu eigenen wissenschaftlichen Zwecken und zum Privatgebrauch gespeichert und kopiert werden. 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If the documents have been made available under an Open Content Licence (especially Creative Commons Licences), you may exercise further usage rights as specified in the indicated licence. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Creative Commons CC BY: This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) which permits any use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access pages (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage). https://doi.org/10.1177/23409444251315485 Business Research Quarterly 2025, Vol. 28(3) 651 –677 © The Author(s) 2025 Article reuse guidelines: sagepub.com/journals-permissions DOI: 10.1177/23409444251315485 journals.sagepub.com/home/brq Introduction Entrepreneurship can offer a unique, yet underexplored pathway for mothers caring for children with additional needs1 (AN henceforth), to form a meaningful career within the constraints of time, space, and caregiving responsibility. Mothers who identify as both caregivers and entrepreneurs represent a distinct group within society, with the potential to develop fulfilling and meaningful careers through mompreneurship. The concept of the mompreneur involves the creation of a new business venture led by a woman who prioritizes her role as a mother (and potentially caregiver) while seeking independence and flexibility through entrepreneurial pursuits (Jean & Forbes, 2012). The lead author of this study is both a mother of a child with AN and a former mompreneur, driven primarily by a desire to achieve work–life balance (Richomme-Huet et al., 2013, p. 256). This research arose from the experience of navigating the complexities of balancing multiple roles, along with the conflicts and enrichment associated with them. The aim of this paper is to challenge societal assumptions regarding the entrepreneurial potential of mothers caring for a child with AN. It seeks to highlight their capacity to engage meaningfully in entrepreneurship and to demonstrate how their acquired strengths can contribute to successful entrepreneurial ventures (Shepherd et al., 2021). Furthermore, in this context, this paper illustrates how entrepreneurship can serve as a strategy to support one’s family while simultaneously managing caregiving responsibilities within a liminal space. Mompreneurship and resilience: Exploring entrepreneurship for mothers of children with additional needs Regina Casteleijn-Osorno and Ulla Hytti Abstract By conducting a problematizing review, this study explores whether entrepreneurship could benefit mothers caring for children with additional needs (ANs). Through role conflict theory, we argue that entrepreneurship provides the time and space flexibility necessary to combine work and care roles and to experience the autonomy not available in paid employment. However, a supportive institutional framework, such as affordable child care, is needed. Based on role enrichment theory, we suggest that mothers caring for AN children possess skills, such as resilience and networking, which are beneficial to entrepreneurship. Furthermore, provided that a fair division of responsibilities exists within the household, AN children can strengthen the family unit and make it an important resource in entrepreneurship for mothers. We develop a future research agenda for mompreneurship with AN children in line with inclusive entrepreneurship. JEL CLASSIFICATION: L26 Entrepreneurship Keywords Mompreneurship, additional needs parenting, role conflict, role enrichment, resilience Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, Turku School of Economics, University of Turku, Turku, Finland Corresponding author: Regina Casteleijn-Osorno, Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, Turku School of Economics, University of Turku, Rehtorinpellonkatu 3, 20500 Turku, Finland. Email: [email protected] 1315485BRQ0010.1177/23409444251315485Business Research QuarterlyCasteleijn-Osorno and Hytti research-article2025 Special Issue: Entrepreneurship and Well-Being: Research Progress and Challenges Ahead 652 Business Research Quarterly 28(3) The scarcity of entrepreneurship literature addressing the intersection of caregiving and entrepreneurship has created the misleading impression that the number of women impacted by caregiving responsibilities, often to the detriment of their careers, is limited to a small group. While parenting a child with AN may initially seem like a niche experience, the reality is that rising awareness and advancements in diagnosis have uncovered that approximately 291 million children and young adults globally are affected by some form of AN (Cheng & Lai, 2023). As of 2023, in the United States alone, 19.4% of families, representing approximately 14.1 million households, include a child with AN (Vrankić Pavon et al., 2023; Young, 2022; Zablotsky et al., 2023). This trend underscores the need to explore viable solutions for caregivers to balance caregiving responsibilities with employment, such as through entrepreneurship (Scott, 2018). With most children with AN cared for at home, mothers predominantly take on the primary caregiver role, often leaving them without the option for (flexible) employment due to their additional caregiving responsibilities. Consequently, the cost to these mothers’ career aspirations, wellbeing, and personal goals within their multiple roles is profound and difficult to quantify (Baker & Drapela, 2010; Kaniamattam & Oxley, 2021). In addition, these mothers frequently assume other roles within their families and communities, such as volunteering or advocating for awareness of ANs to drive change and achieve personal fulfillment (Cheng & Lai, 2023; Nedungadi et al., 2023). Unfortunately, these contributions, which provide enrichment to the caregiving role, supported by role enrichment theory, are often overlooked, marginalized, or misunderstood, despite being rooted in skills developed through their caregiving experiences (Casteleijn-Osorno, 2024; Ryan et al., 2008). To demonstrate how entrepreneurship could be seen as a viable career for mothers with AN children, we engage in a problematizing review (Alvesson & Sandberg, 2020) and draw from role theories (Anglin et al., 2022) to investigate research on the employment of mothers with AN children on one hand and the experiences of mother-entrepreneurs (mompreneurs) on the other hand. Role conflicts and stress related to the multiplicity of the mother–caregiver–work roles are well defined in the literature (Budak et al., 2018; Cronin, 2018; Skinner et al., 1999). The challenge of achieving a synergy of paid employment and family harmony has been identified as an onerous stressor for these mothers. Because of difficulties finding employment or the inflexibility of the working conditions in paid employment, mother-caregivers overwhelmingly spend much time underemployed and are often forced to cease working for long periods to fulfill their caregiving responsibilities (Brandon, 2007; Leiter et al., 2004; Lynch et al., 2022). Having meaningful employment, however, would provide these mothers with a much-needed respite from daily challenges and aid in increased wellbeing, both for mothers and their families (Lewis et al., 1999). Consequently, we ask whether entrepreneurship could provide these mothers with reasonable access to paid work and alleviate the conflict between their work and care roles. However, we do not want to suggest entrepreneurship as a golden ticket to employment and wellbeing for these mothers, but we seek to problematize the conditions that are needed for this to happen. Although the literature regarding mothers with AN children focuses on their challenges and limitations in life and access to work in particular, we suggest a need to problematize these assumptions and investigate whether—through role enrichment theory—experience from mothering AN children and being in families with these children could actually be beneficial in mothers’ entrepreneurship journey. Our review findings enable us to propose that entrepreneurship may be an opportunity for mothers with AN children to engage in paid employment within the time and space of their caring responsibilities (Ekinsmyth, 2013) if relevant family policies and support structures for them and their families are in place. However, future research should investigate how these mothers navigate time and space restrictions in their daily lives and how these influence their ventures, particularly profitability and related financial or other risks (Dhaliwal, 2022; Duberley & Carrigan, 2013). Specifically, research needs to consider the institutional contexts of families and entrepreneurship. If these contexts are not supportive of the many roles that mothers play, the tensions between them may increase. Our review findings also enable us to propose that the embeddedness of mothers with AN children in their communities allows them to identify unique business opportunities related to ANs and that mothers with AN children possess developed skills, such as resilience, advocacy, and networking (Dillon-Wallace et al., 2013; Lee & Park, 2016; Ryan et al., 2008; Skinner et al., 1999), which may be beneficial in entrepreneurship. However, additional research is needed to identify whether these skills carry over from one role to another. The current study also challenges some of the extant assumptions that regard parenting AN children as simply a liability to mothers and their families. We suggest that they are positively influenced by children with ANs and do more than simply cope with challenges; rather, they grow together and are enriched (Goff et al., 2017). We propose that this strong family unit is a resource for mothers in entrepreneurship, but future research is needed to understand how the division of care and financial responsibilities within the household influences mompreneurs with AN children. As far as we are aware, this is among the first few studies of its kind to connect entrepreneurship to mothers with AN children. The wellbeing lens and role theory allow us to explore and expand our understanding of motherhood, caregiving, and entrepreneurship (Budak et al., 2018; Casteleijn-Osorno and Hytti 653 Houle et al., 2009; Weeratunge et al., 2013). Our primary contribution to the entrepreneurship and wellbeing literature, therefore, is determining the extent to which entrepreneurship could be applied by mothers with AN children to engage in (paid) employment within different socioeconomic contexts. We suggest some positive outcomes of having AN children for mothers and their families. This further adds to emerging research aiming to illuminate the mother–AN child discourse in a positive and inclusive light. Therefore, we also aim to contribute to the debate on inclusive entrepreneurship (Bakker & McMullen, 2023). Role theory: role conflict and role enrichment “A role represents a core set of behavioural expectations tied to a social group or category that defines appropriate and permitted forms of behaviour for group members” (Anglin et al., 2022, p. 1470). Role theories are developed based on the idea that an individual has multiple roles that they perform in their daily lives. In this review, we rely on two core constructs in role theories: role conflict and role enrichment. Role conflict is “a phenomenon that occurs when the demands placed upon an individual are either in conflict or incompatible, such that complying with all of the demands would be difficult or even impossible” (Croom & Miller, 2018, p. 3). Role conflict has been studied particularly in the work–family domain, and extant research on it includes studies on the roles that mothers play and the relationship of these to career and family, including personal wellbeing (Gjerdingen et al., 2000; Mason & Pavia, 2006; Parchomiuk, 2020; Stephan et al., 2023). Research has investigated entrepreneurship both as a tool that aggravates role conflict for women entrepreneurs (Hundera et al., 2019), necessitating different coping strategies (i.e., committing to either one of their many social roles), and as a way of reducing role conflict for mothers because ventures can be created within family structures (Hudson Breen et al., 2017). Role enrichment explains how experience in one role may improve the quality of experience in another (Greenhaus & Powell, 2006). Research on role enrichment has focused on how performance in a work role may be enriched or challenged by performing other nonwork roles. The key suggestion from existing research is that the work–family interface, often understood as a source of role conflict, can also be a source of role enrichment. While role conflict and enrichment may seem like opposite ends of a continuum, they are different concepts with different roots. Role conflict is driven by role demands, and role enrichment is developed through personal experiences in work and family roles. This also means that they are not dependent on each other; not experiencing role conflict does not imply role enrichment (Anglin et al., 2022). Therefore, experiencing role conflict does not exclude the potential for role enrichment at the same time. Role enrichment has been studied in hybrid entrepreneurship to investigate how skills and experiences transfer to entrepreneurial work from wage work or vice versa and how skills from entrepreneurial work (such as creativity) carry over to paid employment roles (Asante et al., 2022; Crider et al., 2024). In this problematizing review, we integrate insights from role theory, including role conflict and role enrichment, with multidisciplinary literature to explore the influence of roles and their connection to our propositions and future developments. Drawing from research in entrepreneurship, motherhood, caregiving, career dynamics, and family wellbeing, we link role theory to these domains to foster novel theoretical perspectives (Post et al., 2020). This approach highlights how entrepreneurship intersects with role dynamics, uncovering potential conflicts and opportunities for role enrichment. Review methodology Our initial search (scoping), which included terms such as “additional/special needs child,” “needs child,” “with disability,” “mother,” “employment,” and/or “career limitations” AND “mompreneur,” “mumpreneur,” or “entrepreneurial mother(s),” yielded only one study on the topic of mompreneurs with AN children (Lowenstein & Jones, 2021). Separately, we could identify literature on mompreneurship (or mother-entrepreneurs and their experiences as entrepreneurs) as well as on the employment and career (limitations) of mothers with AN children. This initial finding illustrates the novelty of the topic in the literature (Figure 1) despite the increasing awareness of how ANs influence families (Cheng & Lai, 2023). Problematizing review To explore the potential wellbeing benefits or challenges of entrepreneurship for mothers of AN children and guide future research, we reviewed literature on mompreneurs and wellbeing. Drawing on role theories (role conflict and Figure 1. The lack of entrepreneurial research on mompreneurs who care for children with ANs. 654 Business Research Quarterly 28(3) role enrichment), we problematize whether entrepreneurship supports or hinders these mothers’ wellbeing. Adopting the principles of problematizing reviews, we approached the literature reflexively, broadly, and selectively (Alvesson & Sandberg, 2020). Following the study by Alvesson and Sandberg (2020), problematizing reviews aim to re-conceptualize existing thinking and inspire new ideas and theories. Unlike traditional systematic reviews, which build upon established approaches (Elsbach & van Knippenberg, 2020), this method opens up the literature through critical and broad exploration. For example, Dzhengiz et al. (2023) showed how such reviews help mitigate the overrepresentation of dominant studies. Problematizing reviews avoid rigid “where, what, who, when, and why” questions typical of systematic reviews (Callahan, 2010), enabling unencumbered exploration of diverse literature. By avoiding reliance on keyword searches, we critically engage with topics and studies that might otherwise remain overlooked. Adopting a “less is more” approach, we selectively focus on literature that enhances understanding and enriches the research agenda, incorporating unique and reflective insights (Alvesson & Sandberg, 2020). See Figure 2 for review process. Selection of studies Stage 1: Initial scoping for literature on the topics (a) We produced a search on the chosen topic of mompreneurship according to the search criteria in Table 1. (b) We manually checked 125 relevant abstracts with a search limitation of studies published between 2014 and 2024. Those that failed to discuss mothers who were entrepreneurs and focused primarily on families, women entrepreneurs (without children), and only fathers were excluded. (c) The process listed in a and b was repeated for our second main topic: the work (limitations) of mothers caring for children with ANs. We manually checked 222 abstracts for relevance by skimming through them. In this initial selection, the relevant studies were narrowed down to 82. Those excluded from the corpus predominantly failed to discuss mothers who were caring for children with ANs and included all types of caregiving that were not relevant to our aim. Stage 2: Identifying the core studies for the corpus (a) We carefully read the 32 studies on mompreneurship, resulting in the selection of nine studies for the review. This selection was based on these studies discussing the experiences of mompreneurs from multiple perspectives and together representing a broad spectrum of the wellbeing benefits of mompreneurship. Some studies were selected because they included well-known assumptions regarding mompreneurship (but not all to avoid reaffirming the extant research evidence) and its connection with family and networks; others were chosen because they identified mompreneurship in relation to institutional contexts. (b) As mentioned earlier, we carefully read the 82 studies on the work and work limitations of mothers caring for their AN children. Some studies focusing on negative biases regarding caregiving and employment were included, but others were excluded to avoid negative dominance. Some that failed to address employment and focused on policymaking or education were excluded. From this screening, 12 studies were selected as representative of the domains of employment and wellbeing of mothers with AN children. They focused on the experiences of mothers with AN children from various perspectives and represented a broad spectrum of research on wellbeing and employment in relation to caring for AN children. Studies that included the positive aspects of mothering were also selected, including the influence of families/households on employment while caring for AN children. Others were chosen because they addressed resilience and the skills acquired from parenting children with ANs. Furthermore, studies focusing on the connection with family and networks in relation to institutional contexts were chosen because this topic aligned with our mompreneurship search. Table 1. Search criteria for Stage 1 of the problematizing review process. Research on mompreneurs Work and work limitations of mothers with AN children Search terms ALL = (mompreneur OR mumpreneur OR mother AND entrepreneur OR mom AND entrepreneur) TS = (“mothers” AND “children” AND (“intellectual disabilities” OR “special health care needs” OR “disabilities”) AND (“employment” OR “resilience”)) Restriction 1 Published in 2014–2024 Published in 2014–2024 Restriction 2 Articles + review articles Articles + review articles Casteleijn-Osorno and Hytti 655 Stage 3: Enriching the corpus with broad reading (a) Before moving on to the analysis, we critically reviewed the 21 studies (9 from mompreneurship and 12 from employment and mothers with AN children) to identify elements that were missing when discussing the overarching theme of our research, identifying whether entrepreneurship is suitable for mothers with AN children. In alignment with the problematizing review, we shifted our focus to consider reading broadly, addressing 5–10 relevant avenues in either an adjacent area of our domain or avenues that are relevant to put the perspective of our review into focus. Here, we drew on our personal knowledge and understanding of the topic (Shepherd et al., 2021) to expand our literature review; the goal was to not only broaden but also enrich this review by specifically searching and including research addressing the purpose and meaning, as well as the other positive influences, of having AN children in families. (b) We identified 26 studies (listed in Appendix 1, Tables 2 and 3) with a broad and possibly indirect impact on the research domain defined in stage 2. This was done to enhance our understanding of the positive effects of parenting AN children, as well as to comprehend the mother–child dyad, resilience, and role conflicts. (c) In this stage, additional studies (five) on the topic of work and the work limitations of mothers caring for children with ANs were included in the review despite them falling outside the set temporal limitations of our research scope. They were selected because their relevance to the topic was considered valuable to our main purpose of enriching research on the benefits of wellbeing, entrepreneurship, and employment, as well as research on advocating mothers to not commence working along with fulfiling their caregiving responsibilities. They were also relevant to our purpose of comprehensively looking at work–family policies and childcare issues in relation to parenting children with ANs. All relevant studies (n = 52) that were used are found in Appendix 1, Tables 2 and 3. Stage 4: Analysis. For the analysis, we adopted an abductive reasoning approach, inspired by Dzhengiz et al. (2023), as it was most suitable for the topic, the methods used, and the theories referred to. According to Lipscomb (2012), abductive reasoning “can be envisaged as the creative, imaginative or insightful moment in which understanding is grasped—or is thought to be grasped . . . Figure 2. Review process. Note: This figure was created by Casteleijn-Osorno, 2024 to detail the review process. 656 Business Research Quarterly 28(3) abduction is both an everyday event and, it will be argued, a problematic one” (p. 244). All studies were critically analyzed, compared, and contrasted. We framed the analysis within the boundaries of our set assumptions regarding mompreneurship and employment for mothers with AN children and analyzed them through role conflict/role enrichment theories. In doing so, we addressed two assumptions from several perspectives, which contributed to our problematization process and our broad reading on the topic of mompreneurship. Assumption 1: Mompreneurship is a way through which mothers with NAN (non-additional needs henceforth) children balance personal goals with household (caregiving) responsibilities. Assumptions regarding mompreneurship were addressed by identifying and challenging assumptions related to several dimensions of mompreneurship. We started by conceptualizing mompreneurship and acknowledging the challenges with known assumptions regarding work–family balance and personal motivation (Ekinsmyth, 2013; Foley et al., 2018; Hudson Breen & Leung, 2020; Rodrigues et al., 2023). Next, we addressed the risks associated with female entrepreneurship and the importance of support networks (excluding family; Humbert & Brindley, 2015; Vershinina et al., 2022), including identifying the factors that mitigate role stress and conflict in the form of support and flexibility of employment. We followed up our analysis with an examination of work–family balance and the effects of mompreneurship on the household (Markowska et al., 2023; Welsh & Kaciak, 2019). We concluded with an in-depth examination of wellbeing and entrepreneurship as connected with mompreneurs’ wellbeing (Kadhi & Hamrouni, 2023; Stephan et al., 2023). Through our reading, we were able to identify challenges in our current assumptions of mompreneurship, including the ease of venture creation in certain cultural contexts. We were also able to identify the necessary support structures to mitigate risks and enhance the success of ventures created by mothers. Assumption 2: Parenting AN children is a detriment to the wellbeing of mothers and to family harmony. Based on our analysis, we identified that the assumptions regarding employment challenges for mothers caring for children with ANs were inextricably linked to wellbeing. We first focused our reading on our addressed assumption that parenting children with AN needs is a detriment to the wellbeing of mothers and families by identifying known assumptions (Dillon-Wallace et al., 2016; Halstead et al., 2018; Lloyd & Hastings, 2009; Marks, 1998; Sekułowicz et al., 2022; Sperling & Mowder, 2006). Using a role conflict theory lens, we then looked at employment and mothers with AN children. This included challenges in securing employment, support for/against employment with regard to the roles and conflicts therein, and the effects of employment on the mother–child dyad (Baker & Drapela, 2010; Lewis et al., 2000; Morris, 2012; Schuster et al., 2009). Next, we examined employment for mothers with AN children and its impact on work–family balance. We uncovered literature highlighting the resilience of both mothers and families with AN children, challenging our second assumption (Bolbocean et al., 2022; Chou et al., 2014; Goff et al., 2017; Greeff & Nolting, 2013; Heiman, 2002; Nursanti, 2024; Olshansky, 1962). This led us to uncover the positive effects of having AN children on family dynamics and the wellbeing of mothers (Barnett et al., 2003; Brock, 2014; De Schauwer & Davies, 2015; Jess et al., 2018; McStay et al., 2014; Migerode et al., 2012; Sunderland et al., 2009). We continued with the analysis of the necessary support of networks and the empowerment felt by mothers caring for AN children through their role as advocates/warriors. Part of this role included finding strength and support in networks and communities for and within AN parenting. We identified this unpaid role as one of vital importance to the wellbeing of not only mothers but also their families and networks for the support given (Ammari & Schoenebeck, 2015; Blake et al., 2019; Kirchhofer et al., 2022; Lukemeyer et al., 2000; Musyaropah et al., 2023; Sousa, 2011). We concluded our analysis on the joy of having AN children in the family (Landsman, 2015; Munsell & O’Malley, 2019). Our in-depth analysis led us to create propositions regarding how entrepreneurship can potentially be an option for mothers caring for AN children and provided us with a breadth of reading outside the scope of entrepreneurship and parenting. This analysis enabled us to suggest areas for future research that were not considered at the beginning of our analysis. Review findings We now present the findings from our review of research on the work, careers, and wellbeing of mothers with children diagnosed with AN, contrasting these with our review of existing literature on mothers’ entrepreneurship. This comparison aims to explore whether, and under what conditions, entrepreneurship could serve as a viable option for mothers of children with AN. We outline four propositions to guide future research in this area. Transitioning into motherhood is a life-changing experience and involves navigating multiple roles and aligning aspirations with societal ideals of “good” motherhood (Blum, 2007; Collett, 2005). Despite progress in Casteleijn-Osorno and Hytti 657 gender equality, mothers often assume primary caregiving roles, influenced by rigid work structures for fathers (Hytti et al., 2023). As a result, mothers need to negotiate their roles. Mompreneurship as an option to address the work-related challenges of mothers with AN children Role conflicts causing difficulties in accessing employment. Existing research has clearly established the conflict of roles concerning mothers’ caregiving responsibilities and employment (Chou et al., 2014). Mothers with AN children experience lower paid employment opportunities than mothers with NAN children and overwhelmingly spend long periods of time in unstable and underemployment (Chou et al., 2018; Morris, 2012). Employed mothers with AN children have been framed in an unfavorable bias because of their caregiving roles, and they face harsher criticisms than their NAN counterparts (Morris, 2012). Their challenges in finding employment may also be related to social norms and expectations, their own and the society’s, such as the image that a good mother is somebody who is selfless, nurturing, and ever-present (Johnston & Swanson, 2006; Murnieks & Mosakowski, 2007). This constructed image of selflessness, which is understood as quality mothering, applies not only to how a mother should look but also to how a woman should prioritize mothering first and set aside other roles for an undetermined amount of time to focus on caring for her children (Duberley & Carrigan, 2013; Wyk & Leech, 2016). Mothers have been identified as internalizing struggles relating to the mothering of AN children because of their own limitations or coping mechanisms. Furthermore, societal stigmatization in the form of mother blaming, where the behavior of the child is seen as a reflection of a mother’s behavior, is particularly challenging to mothers’ wellbeing (Colker, 2015; Sekułowicz et al., 2022). Due to the intricate complexities of the mother–child dyad, negatively expressed judgment and open societal criticism concerning their children with invisible AN is therefore internalized by some mothers. These mothers have been identified as being acutely sensitive to mother blaming and overt societal criticism (of their children’s behavior; Blum, 2007; You & McGraw, 2011). They may suffer from low self-esteem and wellbeing because of societal responses (stigma). It was not long ago that mothers were seen as the causes of their children’s disabilities and the resulting family imbalance (Dillon-Wallace et al., 2013; McStay et al., 2014). These complex mother-role identities and experienced realities are interwoven with those of their children (Ryan et al., 2008), limiting mothers’ ability to fulfill the image and expectations of an efficient employee. Taken together, role conflict and the related role expectations facing mothers with AN children make it difficult for them to find paid employment. Role conflicts for mothers with AN children in employment. Mothers with AN children who are employed are not necessarily better off. Some experience discrimination in the form of attitudinal barriers in the workplace. Working mothers with NAN children have been identified as being mommy tracked and passed over for promotions because of their motherhood obligations, thus illustrating views of these conflicting roles in established workplaces (Berdahl & Moon, 2013). However, these conflicts between roles are particularly pronounced in the case of mothers with AN children. This extends to the types of roles that these mothers are considered for, as well as the rigidity in the workplace and a lack of advancement (Baker & Drapela, 2010). The additional role stress can further lead to negligence in the work sphere, particularly a lack of time to complete tasks and neglect of conflicting roles as negative spillover effects of paid employment for mothers (Sanz-Vergel et al., 2015). Consequently, mother-caregivers are shown to progress slowly in their careers. In addition, some mothers are left with no option other than to obtain part-time employment or cease working for periods of time to fulfill their caregiving responsibilities as new challenges arise (Parchomiuk, 2020). Becoming mothers and experiencing role conflict in combining family–work responsibilities may incentivise some mothers to slow down or put their professional lives on hold for a while. This can further lead to “role captivity” for some mothers caring for an AN child and increase conflict between desired and actual role (Nomaguchi & Milkie, 2020). In addition, because of the identified role conflicts and related role stress of working mothers with AN children, their ability to excel and progress in a career outside the home is visibly under threat. Entrepreneurship reducing role conflict for mothers. Entrepreneurship can be seen as a way to reduce role conflict for mothers because ventures can be created within family structures and are considered socially accepted careers (Hudson Breen et al., 2017). The desire to define the border between motherhood and working on their own terms may be a reason for choosing to be entrepreneurs and creating their own jobs (Foley et al., 2018; Lewis et al., 2000). Mompreneurship therefore contributes to fulfilling the need for work–life balance, for a work environment that is sensitive to the needs of one’s family, and for exciting and challenging work experiences (Korsgaard, 2007). This has sometimes been defined as the core of mompreneurship as a socio-spatial phenomenon, enabling the development of a business within the constraints of the time and space of mothering responsibilities (Croom & Miller, 2018; Ekinsmyth, 2013). Mothers are motivated by a desire for independence and the ability to be present as parents who hold great 658 Business Research Quarterly 28(3) influence on the creation of a venture within the family structure. The flexibility to manage child care and the ability to challenge oneself and attain autonomy within family-structured schedules are also understood motives (Ekinsmyth, 2013; Rodrigues et al., 2023). Within many Western contexts, there is a strong normative expectation of working mothers, so remaining a caregiver (stay-athome mom) may not be a legitimate option and pushes mothers to become entrepreneurs (Duberley & Carrigan, 2013). By becoming entrepreneurs, mothers can align well with competing mothering ideologies and societal expectations of what it means to be a good working mother while fulfilling personal aspirations (Foley et al., 2018); it reflects a desire for flexibility and autonomy while managing child care responsibilities and developing a career identity within the temporality of caregiving responsibilities as mothers. Entrepreneurship is seen as empowering while offering a reprieve from conflicting role challenges that can occur in the workplace (Hudson Breen, 2001). Disadvantages with assuming an entrepreneurial role. Limitations regarding time endowments and location restrictions have been identified to limit the development and growth of mompreneurs’ ventures (Ekinsmyth, 2013). This raises questions about how far mompreneur activities can be viewed through the lens of self-exploitation rather than liberation or at least highlighting the need for understanding both sides (Duberley & Carrigan, 2013). As the discourse on time and flexibility is strong within the mompreneurship literature, there is less focus on financial risks (Dhaliwal, 2022). Considering the limitations in finding and engaging in paid employment for the working mothers of AN children, entrepreneurship might be the best—and in some cases the only—option for career creation/development within the constraints of caregiving (Humbert & Brindley, 2015). However, as suggested by disadvantage theory, turning to entrepreneurship as a means of overcoming barriers to suitable employment is often accompanied by additional challenges such as challenges in attaining funding, trust building within communities, and support from family. While obstacles within traditional labor markets may indeed motivate these women to pursue entrepreneurship, the conflicting demands of caregiving and work introduce less-visible impediments that can hinder their entrepreneurial success from the outset (Morris et al., 2020). Proposition 1: Entrepreneurship represents an opportunity for mothers with AN children to engage in paid work within the time and space of their caring responsibilities. However, time and other restrictions may limit their entrepreneurial success. Entrepreneurship as an option to benefit from work-related advantages for mothers with AN children: the need for supportive structures Research demonstrates the positive effects of employment on wellbeing. Those who lack work opportunities because of the need to focus on caregiving have a high risk of burnout (Chou et al., 2016; Sekułowicz et al., 2022). The positive effects of securing paid employment have been identified as providing mothers with social contacts, intellectual challenges, and financial gains not provided otherwise (Sanz-Vergel et al., 2015). Mothers engaged in paid employment while caring for their AN children experience respite from caregiving obligations and lowered levels of stress should employment offer fulfillment (Morris, 2012). The adoption of a role which is supported, such as a paid employment position in which certain flexibility is allowed and skills are acknowledged, has been shown to support new role acquisition without negative conflicts (Sellmaier et al., 2020). Need for a flexible work environment and supportive home environment. Coincidentally, stress has been shown to decrease when support systems are in place, ensuring success in one’s new role (Shearn & Todd, 2000). Mothers with AN children engaged in a supported paid-employment environment experience diminished conflict within roles despite the admitted challenges of caregiving. This, in turn, leads to improved work–family balance (Stewart et al., 2022). In fact, for both mothers of AN children and mothers of NAN children, a major factor in mitigating role stress and conflict is support and flexibility of employment (Lynch et al., 2022; Warfield, 2001). The challenge lies here. Particularly for mothers with AN children, supported employment is challenging to attain, with employers markedly insensitive to the required flexibility needs of employees with additional caregiving responsibilities (Derigne & Porterfield, 2017). Inflexibility, inconsistent work schedules, and low levels of autonomy in the workplace account for the lessened wellbeing benefits of paid employment. Employment must be mother ready, allowing for last-minute changes and flexibility for mothers (Scott, 2018). Failure to secure such a position leaves mothers in a precarious situation in which respite and benefits are acknowledged but are unattainable. Over time, this imbalance simultaneously spills into the wellbeing of their child(ren), back into their employment and the rest of the family (Parchomiuk, 2020). Besides the work context, the opportunities for mothers to benefit from the wellbeing effects of working are dependent on household conditions. Despite advancements and proposals for changes in caregiving models, mothers are still predominantly researched as primary caregivers to AN children, with fathers attending to the Casteleijn-Osorno and Hytti 665 2014) and their related skills in building and using these networks. Therefore, an interesting research question involves determining the extent to which these networking skills carry over to the business side. What types of resources become available to them through their networks? Does their embeddedness in certain networks become a liability under certain circumstances? Existing research on mompreneurship highlights how entrepreneurship is based on an opportunity linked to the experience of mothering a child. Further expansion of this topic could identify how mothers with AN children can use entrepreneurship to make meaning of their roles as mothers and advocates for the AN community. These mothers may be interested in starting businesses to support their AN children by providing a place where they (and other AN people) could be employed (Strnadová & Evans, 2013) and to the extent this is important for their perceived success in entrepreneurship, forming an interesting future research avenue. In addition, exploration into how mothers evoke an entrepreneurial spirit within the family through an “intergenerational transmission of entrepreneurial intentions” should be on the research agenda of entrepreneurship scholars (Hopp et al., 2019). Research suggests that there may be positive and unexpected effects of having AN children on the entire family dynamic (Lloyd & Hastings, 2009). Examples are heightened resilience and family enrichment from not forcing normalcy or assimilation onto the family, and rather accepting and supporting their children through challenges. Open communication and recognition of the concerns of all members, including negotiating negative feelings, further contribute to creating a harmonious family life and good family dynamics (Heiman, 2002; McStay et al., 2014). As the role of the family has been found to be an important resource in entrepreneurship, we propose that future research should investigate whether the resources of families with AN children can help mothers who engage in entrepreneurship and what these resource types are. Similarly, as research demonstrates that entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial wellbeing are strongly embedded in the household context, future research should shed light on how the division of care and financial responsibilities within the household influences mompreneurs with AN children. Finally, we make some methodological suggestions for advancing research in this field by proposing the need for inductive qualitative studies involving not only mothers but also entire families (spouses, AN children, and other children, provided that the ethical aspects are duly considered) to include the family dynamics/household perspective. Ethnographic approaches might be particularly useful to learn about the everyday lives of these mothers navigating between the family and business and the relations between the mother and their child, as well as others in their families, communities, and networks. Finding and recruiting suitable subjects for this research purpose may come with some challenges (e.g., lack of time), thus calling for innovative approaches that enable these mothers’ and their families’ voices to be heard. This could involve inviting mothers to take photographs capturing moments in their daily lives (Munsell & O’Malley, 2019) or other arts-based methods. As our review underscored the importance of support, future research could also contribute to developing and investigating interventions aimed at supporting mothers (their families) in their entrepreneurial journeys. Conclusion Through our problematizing review, we proposed that entrepreneurship may be an opportunity for mothers with AN children to engage in paid employment within the time and space constraints of their caring responsibilities, provided that the necessary support structures are in place. We also proposed that mothers with AN children possess skills, such as resilience, advocacy, and networking, which may be beneficial in entrepreneurship. We suggest that these mothers and their families are positively influenced by children with ANs and that this strong family unit is a valuable resource for mothers in entrepreneurship. However, more empirical research is needed to shed light on these issues and explore the potential downsides of entrepreneurship for these women, their ventures, and families. Declaration of conflicting interests The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. Funding The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. ORCID iD Regina Casteleijn-Osorno https://orcid.org/0000-0002-76169174 Note 1. For this study, the term “additional needs” is used to include neurodivergent and physically disabled children. 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Ten fields of research according to Web of Science (WoS) Categories after concluding Stage 1 of the selection process. “Mompreneurs” papers (%)a“Work-(limitations) mothers AN children” papersa Total amount of relevant articles 43 82 Total amount of research fieldsb 8 29 Research field Research field Business 20 (63%) Rehabilitation 24 (29%) Management 10 (31%) Education special 19 (23%) Economics 3 (9%) Psychology developmental 14 (17%) Sociology 3 (9%) Family studies 12 (15%) Women S Studies 3 (9%) Psychiatry 9 (11%) Development studies 2 (6%) Public environmental occupational health 9 (11%) Geography 1 (3%) Social work 7 (9%) Industrial relations labor 1 (3%) Sociology 5 (6%) – Psychology educational 4 (5%) – Clinical neurology 3 (4%) Note: Percentage of total relevant articles are in the the (). aPercentage of the total amount of relevant articles. bArticles can belong to more than one category. Casteleijn-Osorno and Hytti 671 Table 3. Stages 1 (narrow screening) and Stage 3 (broad reading). Articles on mompreneurship Domain Theoretical background Method used Research question Main findings 1 Breen, R. & Leung, A. (2020). Choosing mothering and entrepreneurship: a relational career-life process. International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship, 12(3), 253–271. https:// doi.org/10.1108/IJGE-08-2019-0130 Gender studies Relational theory Qualitative What is the influence of the mothering role in shaping the transition into Influence of the mothering role in shaping the transition into 2 Ekinsmyth, C. (2013). Mothers’ business, work/life and the politics of “mumpreneurship.” Gender, Place & Culture, 21(10), 1230–1248. https://doi.org/10.1080/0966369X.2013.817975 Critical theory Mixed methods Will the subject position “mumpreneur” will cement current gender role inequality? Mumpreneurship is a spatial phenomenon. The darker side of mumpreneur working practices needs to be explored. 3 Foley, M., Baird, M., Cooper, R. & Williamson, S. (2018). Is independence really an opportunity? The experience of entrepreneur-mothers. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 25(2), 313–329. https://doi.org/10.1108/ JSBED-10-2017-0306 Social science Maximum utilization theory Qualitative How entrepreneur-mothers experience independence as a motivating factor? Entrepreneur-mothers experience independence not as an opportunity 4 Humbert, A. L., & Brindley, C. (2015). Challenging the concept of risk in relation to women’s entrepreneurship. Gender in Management, 30(1), 2–25. https://doi.org/10.1108/GM-102013-0120 Gender studies Role theory Qualitative How women entrepreneurs conceptualize risk, and how the notion of risk is linked to Risk is a gendered construct, which needs to be expanded to go beyond financial risk. 5 Markowska, M., Ahl, H., & Naldi, L. (2023). Timeout: The role of family-friendly policies in business start-up among mothers. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 47(4), 1169–1199. https:// doi.org/10.1177/10422587221126493 Gender studies Career theory Qualitative Why increasing number of Swedish mothers are becoming entrepreneurs? Supported by the positive effect of the Swedish welfare system upon entrepreneurship entry and the timing of this decision. 6 El Kadhi, N. N., & Hamrouni, A. D. (2023). Mumpreneurship in an effectual dynamic: Entrepreneurial logic and motivations of mumpreneurs. Journal of Enterprising Culture, 31(1), 1–24 Gender studies Effectuation theory Qualitative What is the entrepreneurial logic of mumpreneurs in the light of effectuation theory? Mumpreneurs are motivated by several factors such as dissatisfaction, motherhood, independence, and the need to improve their financial situation. 7 Rodrigues, M., Daniel, A.D. & Franco, M. (2023). What is important to know about mumpreneurship? A bibliometric analysis. International Journal of Organizational Analysis, 31(7), 3413–3435. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-05-2022-3293 Gender studies Role theory Quantitative Scientific and bibliometric mapping of mompreneurship literature Dilemma Motherhood and Entrepreneurship 8 Vershinina, N., Phillips, N., & McAdam, M. (2022). Online communities and entrepreneuring mothers: Practices of building, being and belonging. Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, 34(7–8), 742–764. Business Practice theory Qualitative How members of an online community collectively interpret and negotiate the challenges of pursuing entrepreneurship alongside parenthood? Critical role of networking in how entrepreneuring women construct and maintain community connections and distinguishes between three dimensions of community engagement: Building, Being, and Belonging. 9 Welsh, D. H. B., Kaciak, E. (2019). Family enrichment and women entrepreneurial success: the mediating effect of family interference. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 15, 1045–1075. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-01900587-4 Social science Role theory Conceptual Consider how two types of enrichment: family instrumental (financial) support and family affective (moral) support affect entrepreneurial success? Personal problems have a negative effect when family financial support is present, and a positive effect when family moral support is experienced. (Continued) 672 Business Research Quarterly 28(3) Articles on “Work-(limitations) of mothers with caring for a child with additional needs” Domain Theoretical background Method used Research question Main findings 1 Bozkur, B., Güler, M. & Kandeğer, A. (2022). The mediating role of maternal resilience in the relationship between internalized sexism and couple burnout in mothers of children with disabilities. International Journal for the Advancement of Counseling, 44, 680–693. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-02209480-2 Gender studies Critical theory Quantitative To examine whether mother resilience has a mediating effect on burnout in mothers Mother resilience 2 Chou Y.-C., KrOger, T., & Pu, C.-Y. (2015). Universal breadwinner versus universal caregiver model: Fathers’ involvement in caregiving and well-being of mothers of offspring with intellectual disabilities. https://doi.org/10.1111/ jar.12156 Social science Universal caregiver model Quantitative To examine the hypothesis that the universal caregiver model is more related to the overall wellbeing of mothers of children with intellectual disabilities than the universal breadwinner model. Mothers in the universal caregiver group had higher levels of maternal marital and family life satisfaction, but not of work satisfaction and quality of life. An incentive policy is critical for supporting the fathers involved in lifelong caregiving and to promote the mothers’ quality of life. 3 Chou, Y.-C, Kröger, T., Pu, C.-Y. (2018). Underemployment among mothers of children with intellectual disabilities. J Appl Res Intellect Disabil, 31, 152–158. Social science Career theory Quantitative Who underemployed mothers are, and what are the factors associated with such employment hardship when having a child with intellectual disability (ID)? Mothers were more likely to be underemployed compared with the mothers who were voluntarily working part-time/non-employed. 4 Dillon-Wallace, J. A., McDonagh, S. H., & Fordham, L. A. (2014). How stable is the well-being of Australian mothers who care for young children with special health care needs? J Child Fam Stud, 23, 1215–1226. https://doi.org/10.1007/ s10826-013-9782-6 Psychology Parent development theory Quantitative What are the differences in the health and wellbeing of mothers whose young children do and do not have special health care needs? Mothers of children with special health care needs have poorer general health and mental health than mothers whose children do not have special needs. 5 Halstead, E. J., Griffith, G. M., & Hastings, R. P. (2017). Social support, coping, and positive perceptions as potential protective factors for the well-being of mothers of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 64(4–5), 288–296. https:// doi.org/10.1080/20473869.2017.1329192 Social science Parent development theory Quantitative Whether perceived social support, positive perceptions, or coping style explain some of this variability and specifically whether these three variables function as protective factors? Perceived social support functioned as a protective factor, affecting the relationship between child behavioral and emotional problems and maternal depression, positive wellbeing. 6 Hodgetts, S., McConnell, D., Zwaigenbaum, L., & Nicholas, D. (2014). The impact of autism services on mothers’ occupational balance and participation. OTJR Occupation, Participation and Health, 34(2), 81–92. https://doi. org/10.3928/15394492-20130109-0 Health science Grounded theory Mixed methods What is the impact of professional services on wellbeing and leisure? Discontinuity of services was a significant predictor of disrupted employment and/or leisure. 7 Parchomiuk, M. (2020). Work-family balance and satisfaction with roles in parents of disabled children. Community, Work & Family, 25(3), 353–373. https://doi.org/10.1080/13668803.20 20.1764499 Social science Role theory Quantitative What types of work–family interactions based on the results of conflict and enrichment in parents of disabled children influence characteristics of the child, parental satisfaction, and job satisfaction? Four types were found: unbalanced parents experiencing strong conflict and poor enrichment; parents separating family and professional life (low conflict and enrichment); the blurred type with high conflict and enrichment; and balanced parents experiencing low conflict and high enrichment. Table 3. (Continued) (Continued) Casteleijn-Osorno and Hytti 673 Articles on “Work-(limitations) of mothers with caring for a child with additional needs” Domain Theoretical background Method used Research question Main findings 8 Pastor-Cerezuela, G., Fernández-Andrés, M. I., PérezMolina, D., & Tijeras-Iborra, A. (2021). Parental stress and resilience in autism spectrum disorder and Down syndrome. Journal of Family Issues, 42(1), 3–26. https://doi. org/10.1177/0192513X20910192/FORMAT/EPUB Psychology Parent development theory Quantitative What is the comparison between parental stress and resilience in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Down syndrome (DS), and typical development (TD), and the relationship between these two constructs? The higher parental stress obtained in the ASD group, compared to the DS group, was not associated with aspects related to the parents or demographic and social factors of the families but rather with aspects related to the child and the characteristics of each disorder, as perceived by the parents. 9 Sanz-Vergel etal., 2015.-).-, A. I., Rodr Iguez-Mu~ Noz, A., & Nielsen, K. (2015). The thin line between work and home: The spillover and crossover of daily conflicts. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 88, 1–18. https:// doi.org/10.1111/joop.12075 Psychology Work–family and family–work conflict theory (WFC-FWC) Quantitative We hypothesized that daily level of family–work conflict (FWC) would increase daily interpersonal conflicts with colleagues at work, which in turn would increase conflicts with the partner at home. Interpersonal conflicts at work predicted conflicts with the partner at home. Furthermore, neuroticism accentuated the relationship between interpersonal conflicts at work and those at home. There was also a crossover of interpersonal conflicts at home. 10 Scott, E. K. (2018). Mother-ready jobs: Employment that works for mothers of children with disabilities. Journal of Family Issues, 39(9), 2659–2684. https://doi. org/10.1177/0192513X18756927 Gender studies - Qualitative Employment for family caregivers of children with disabilities is challenging, should employers be more flexible? A need for jobs in which they can manage both employment and care and promote workplace policies that enable us to create the conditions for better work–family fit. 11 Sekułowicz, M.; Kwiatkowski, P.; Manor-Binyamini, I.; BorońKrupińska, K., Cieślik, B. (2022). The effect of personality, disability, and family functioning on burnout among mothers of children with autism: A path analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19, 1187. https://doi. org/10.3390/ijerph19031187 Psychology Theory of parental burnout Quantitative What is the relationship between maternal burnout and the mother’s subjective reporting of difficulty in childcare, family function, and personality traits? Increased maternal emotional instability (neuroticism) and conscientiousness can lead to increased family communication problems, which may further lead to a breakdown of the equilibrium in the family system. 12 Chou, Y.-C., Wang, S.-C., Chang, H.-H., & Fu, L.-Y. (2014). Working but not employed: Mothers of adults with intellectual disability as hidden workers. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability. https://doi.org/10.3109/13668250 .2014.940862 Social science Career theory Qualitative Why non-employed mothers of children with intellectual disability (ID) have lower wellbeing than employed mothers? The mothers left the labor market at different stages of the family life cycle due to a lack of formal/informal support for the care needs of their young children, and the continuing intensive care needs of their child with ID. Articles on resilience, wellbeing, purpose, and the positive side of parenting a child with AN Domain Theoretical background Method used Research question Main findings 1 Ammari, T., & Schoenebeck, S. (2015). Networked empowerment on Facebook groups for parents of children with special needs. https://doi.org/10.1145/2702123.2702324 Computer science Empowerment theory Qualitative In what ways do parents leverage these online communities to gain emotional support, information, and resources? By offering a sense of community, promoting self-efficacy, and encouraging collective advocacy, these online networks contribute to the psychological wellbeing and empowerment of parents. However, the study also notes the challenges that can arise, including issues related to accessibility, the spread of misinformation, and the risks of negative social comparison. 2 Barnett, D., Clements, M., Kaplan-Estrin, M., & Fialka, J. (2003). Building new dreams: Supporting parents’ adaptation to their child with special needs. Infants & Young Children, 16(3), 184–200. Psychology Bereavement theory Qualitative How parents of children with special needs (e.g., developmental disabilities, autism, intellectual disabilities) adapt to their child’s condition and how they can be supported in this process. Parents of children with special needs go through a process of emotional adaptation, where they move from initial grief or disappointment to creating new dreams and expectations for their child’s future. This process of rebuilding dreams requires significant emotional support. Table 3. (Continued) (Continued) 674 Business Research Quarterly 28(3) Articles on resilience, wellbeing, purpose, and the positive side of parenting a child with AN Domain Theoretical background Method used Research question Main findings 3 Blake, L., Bray, L., & Carter, B. (2019). “It’s a lifeline”: Generating a sense of social connectedness through befriending parents of disabled children or children with additional need. Patient Education and Counseling, 102(12), 2279–2285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2019.07.012 Health and social sciences Social support and buffering theory Mixed methods What are the emotional and psychological benefits of social connectedness for parents of disabled children? Social connectedness for parents of children with disabilities help reduce social isolation, foster a sense of community, and offer practical resources and advice. They have a positive impact on mental health, empowerment, and parenting practices, while also creating a lifeline for parents navigating the challenges of raising a child with special needs. 4 Blum, L. D. (2007). Psychodynamics of postpartum depression. Psychoanalytic Psychology, 24(1), 45. Psychology Critical theory Qualitative What are psychoanalytic theories, focusing on unconscious processes, early childhood experiences, maternal identity, and the psychological effects of childbirth on the new mother. Addressing unconscious conflicts and providing support for the maternal psyche may be key in the treatment and prevention of postpartum depression. 5 Bolbocean, C., Rhidenour, K. B., Mccormack, M., Suter, B., & Holder, J. L. (2022). Resilience, and positive parenting in parents of children with syndromic autism and intellectual disability. Evidence from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on family’s quality of life and parent-child relationships. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.2825 Behavioral science Resilience theory Quantitative How the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the resilience and parenting behaviors of parents raising children with syndromic autism and intellectual disability (ID). While the COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges for parents of children with AN, resilience and positive parenting were key factors in maintaining family wellbeing and fostering strong parent–child relationships. 6 Brock, S. (2014). The impact of “good mothering” ideology on identity perception for mothers of children with disabilities. Hecate, 40(1), 20–35. Gender studies - - What are the cultural and psychological implications of the societal expectations of motherhood—specifically the ideal of “good mothering”—on the identities of mothers raising children with disabilities? Conflict can lead to feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and identity confusion for these mothers. However, the study likely also highlights how some mothers redefine their understanding of what it means to be a “good mother,” embracing the unique aspects of their role and finding empowerment in their caregiving. 7 Coughlin, M. B., & Sethares, K. A. (2017). Chronic sorrow in parents of children with a chronic illness or disability: An integrative literature review. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. pedn.2017.06.011 Nursing science Model of chronic sorrow Mixed methods How does chronic sorrow differ from other forms of grief or distress in parents of children with disabilities or chronic illnesses? The review also identifies key coping strategies— including social support and professional assistance—that help parents manage chronic sorrow. Social support, in particular, plays a crucial role in alleviating emotional distress, as does the development of resilience and meaning-making over time. 8 De Schauwer, E., & Davies, B. (2015). Crossing thresholds with a child with a disability. Departures in Critical Qualitative Research, 4(4), 83–98. Social science The social model of disability Qualitative What are transformative experiences of parents or caregivers as they navigate milestones and significant moments (or “thresholds”) in the life of a child with a disability? These thresholds—such as receiving a diagnosis, transitioning to different phases of care, or achieving developmental milestones—can have significant emotional, social, and psychological impacts on parents and families. 9 Goff, B. S., High, J., Cless, A., Koblitz, K., Staats, N., & Springer, N. (2017). Families with special needs: A journey from coping and adaptation to resilience and hope. Families & change: Coping with stressful events and transitions, 432. Social sciences Family stress theory, Mixed methods How do family dynamics, individual coping mechanisms, and social support contribute to the family’s journey toward resilience? Over time, families learn to reframe their expectations and find fulfillment in their caregiving roles, ultimately redefining their own sense of success. 10 Greeff, A. P., & Nolting, C. (2013). Resilience in families of children with developmental disabilities. Families, Systems, & Health, 31(4), 396. Health sciences Resilient family theory Mixed methods What factors contribute to the development of resilience in these families? Key factors contributing to resilience include strong social support, effective coping strategies, parental characteristics such as optimism and flexibility, and healthy family dynamics. Families that develop resilience redefine success in ways that are more aligned with their child’s unique needs and celebrate small victories (Continued) Table 3. (Continued)