Feasibility of Tiyanjane: A Family–School–Community Intervention Promoting Parental Involvement in the Education of Children with Disabilities in Malawi

Musendo, David John; Polack, Sarah; Chirwa, Blessings; Nkambule, Ellen S.; Mukakagame, Claire; Chikanya, Magnolia; Nkhonjera, Thomas A.; Smythe, Tracey

doi:10.3390/socsci14050265

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Feasibility of Tiyanjane: A Family–School–Community Intervention Promoting Parental Involvement in the Education of Children with Disabilities in Malawi

by

David John Musendo

^1,*

,

Sarah Polack

¹,

Blessings Chirwa

²,

Ellen S. Nkambule

³

,

Claire Mukakagame

⁴,

Magnolia Chikanya

⁵,

Thomas A. Nkhonjera

⁶ and

Tracey Smythe

^1,7

¹

International Centre for Evidence in Disability, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK

²

Department of Water and Sanitation, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Mzuzu University, Mzuzu P.O. Box 201, Malawi

³

Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Mzuzu University, Mzuzu P.O. Box 201, Malawi

⁴

Development Studies Department, Faculty of Social Sciences, Kigali Independent University, Kigali P.O. Box 2280, Rwanda

⁵

Department of Statistical Science, Faculty of Science, University of Capetown, Cape Town 7701, South Africa

⁶

Department of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Mzuzu University, Mzuzu P.O. Box 201, Malawi

⁷

Centre for Evidence in Disability, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town 7602, South Africa

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(5), 265; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14050265

Submission received: 3 March 2025 / Revised: 23 April 2025 / Accepted: 24 April 2025 / Published: 25 April 2025

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nurturing Bridges: Embracing Growth and Connecting Life for Children)

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Abstract

Evidence-based and theory-informed interventions focusing on parents of children with disabilities in low-income countries are scarce. This study examined the feasibility of Tiyanjane, a 12-week pilot intervention developed to promote parental involvement in the education of children with disabilities in Malawi. A mixed-method approach was employed based on five aspects of Bowen’s feasibility framework: acceptability, demand, implementation, practicality, and limited efficacy. Twenty-one participants (13 caregivers, four teachers, and four local leaders) participated in the study. Standardised measures, namely the Parent and Family Adjustment Scale (PAFAS) and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), were employed to evaluate changes in parental practices, adjustments, and perceived social support. Qualitative data were collected using focus groups and in-depth interviews to assess the feasibility of the intervention. Tiyanjane showed promise in promoting parental involvement in the education of children with disabilities. The intervention demonstrated high fidelity, achieving 100% retention and 95% attendance. Local resources, commitment from participants and facilitators, and strong family school–community ties enabled the practicality and execution of the intervention. Significant improvements were observed in the PAFAS and MSPSS scores across the assessed post-intervention outcomes. Minor logistical issues including resource and implementation challenges were reported. Tiyanjane was feasible for the facilitators and participants in the Malawian context. Further studies are needed to assess the programme’s adaptation, integration, and expansion in other contexts before scaling up.

Keywords: parent involvement; children with disabilities; community engagement; education; feasibility study; family–school–community partnerships; low-income countries; supportive relationships

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MDPI and ACS Style

Musendo, D.J.; Polack, S.; Chirwa, B.; Nkambule, E.S.; Mukakagame, C.; Chikanya, M.; Nkhonjera, T.A.; Smythe, T. Feasibility of Tiyanjane: A Family–School–Community Intervention Promoting Parental Involvement in the Education of Children with Disabilities in Malawi. Soc. Sci. 2025, 14, 265. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14050265

AMA Style

Musendo DJ, Polack S, Chirwa B, Nkambule ES, Mukakagame C, Chikanya M, Nkhonjera TA, Smythe T. Feasibility of Tiyanjane: A Family–School–Community Intervention Promoting Parental Involvement in the Education of Children with Disabilities in Malawi. Social Sciences. 2025; 14(5):265. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14050265

Chicago/Turabian Style

Musendo, David John, Sarah Polack, Blessings Chirwa, Ellen S. Nkambule, Claire Mukakagame, Magnolia Chikanya, Thomas A. Nkhonjera, and Tracey Smythe. 2025. "Feasibility of Tiyanjane: A Family–School–Community Intervention Promoting Parental Involvement in the Education of Children with Disabilities in Malawi" Social Sciences 14, no. 5: 265. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14050265

APA Style

Musendo, D. J., Polack, S., Chirwa, B., Nkambule, E. S., Mukakagame, C., Chikanya, M., Nkhonjera, T. A., & Smythe, T. (2025). Feasibility of Tiyanjane: A Family–School–Community Intervention Promoting Parental Involvement in the Education of Children with Disabilities in Malawi. Social Sciences, 14(5), 265. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14050265

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Feasibility of Tiyanjane: A Family–School–Community Intervention Promoting Parental Involvement in the Education of Children with Disabilities in Malawi

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