PERSPECTIVES AND PREFERENCES ON EXERCISE AMONG LATINO PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES IN WISCONSIN AND PUERTO RICO: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Abstract

Introduction: Latino parents of children with developmental disabilities experience significant health disparities, including higher rates of depression and chronic pain, compared to non-Latino white parents. While physical activity is recognized as beneficial for reducing these health risks, limited research exists on the understanding of factors that influence exercise participation among Latino parents. Thus, the purpose of this descriptive-qualitative study was to explore the perspectives of Latino parents of children with developmental disabilities regarding exercise engagement that can aid in informing the development of future exercise interventions. Methods: Participants were Latino parents (n = 15; 43.3 ± 6.83 years) of children aged 3 to 21 with developmental disabilities living in Wisconsin (n = 7) and Puerto Rico (n = 8). Data was collected through semi-structured interviews in Spanish. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic line-by-line analysis with assistance from NVivo software. This study was guided by Bronfenbrenner’s socio-ecological model to understand the factors that influence parents’ exercise participation. Results: Ten themes were created regarding barriers, facilitators, and preferences of parents’ exercise engagement. Overall, the findings revealed that caregiving demands, health problems, insufficient support, and lack of accessible services hindered parents’ exercise engagement. At the same time, personal motivation, self- efficacy, and family and community support served as facilitators. Participants valued flexible programs that included bilingual staff, role models, childcare services, and a mix of cardio, strength, and relaxation exercises. Conclusion: The results emphasize the need for support systems that address caregiving demands, health challenges, and limited access to resources. Effective programs should improve communication between service providers and families, offer culturally tailored and accessible services, and incorporate flexible, family-inclusive options.