The Lived Experience of Parents of Children with Irlen Syndrome: a Biopsychosocial Perspective of the Effects of Tinted Lenses and Colored Overlays
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Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2021 The Lived Experience of Parents of Children with Irlen Syndrome: A Biopsychosocial Perspective of the Effects of Tinted Lenses and Colored Overlays Bettina Lenise Young Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Clinical Psychology Commons, and the Medicine and Health Sciences Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Bettina Lenise Young has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Ethel Perry, Committee Chairperson, Psychology Faculty Dr. Mary Enright, Committee Member, Psychology Faculty Dr. Karine Clay, University Reviewer, Psychology Faculty Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sue Subocz, Ph.D. Walden University 2021 Abstract The Lived Experience of Parents of Children with Irlen Syndrome: A Biopsychosocial Perspective of the Effects of Tinted Lenses and Colored Overlays by Bettina Lenise Young MA, State University at Albany, 1991,1997 BS, State University at Plattsburgh, 1988 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Clinical Psychology Walden University May 2021 Abstract Reading illiteracy is a continuing problem in society. Irlen purported many individuals struggle with reading due to a perceptual processing problem called Irlen Syndrome (IS). Existing research supports the use of colored overlays and tinted lenses to alleviate reading difficulties but has focused primarily on the biological benefits of improved reading while neglecting the IS child’s psychological and social well-being. Viewed from a biopsychosocial perspective, the purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of parents of children with IS who used colored overlays or tinted lenses. Engel’s biopsychosocial theory acted as a guide for the interpretation of themes that emerged from the data analysis. Data were collected using a nonprobability purposeful sample strategy. This study’s sample consisted of 11 parents with IS children who used colored overlays or tinted lenses for 4 months or longer. Parent interview transcripts were analyzed using hand coding and NVivo computer software. It was found that parents of IS children reported improvements in their child’s overall reading, writing, homework completion, self-confidence, sociability, emotional regulation, and physical well-being when using colored overlays and tinted lenses. Findings revealed that many parents struggled with school personnel’s ability to understand and accept IS as a diagnosis and provide their child with consistent adaptive device accommodations. The results of this study may lead to positive social change by giving practitioners and educators a greater understanding of IS and its biological, psychological, and social processes. The Lived Experiences of Parents of Children with Irlen Syndrome: A Biopsychosocial Perspective of the Effects of Tinted Lenses and Colored Overlays by Bettina Lenise Young MA, State University at Albany], 1991, 1997 BS, State University at Plattsburgh, 1988 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Clinical Psychology Walden University May 2021 Dedication I would like to dedicate this dissertation in loving memory of my parents, James D. Merritt and Gladys Blackmon-Merritt, and good friend Pattijo Payne, who always believed in me. Also, I must give the highest exhalation to God for helping me to push through life obstacles to achieve my educational goals. Acknowledgments A special thank you to Dr. Ethel Perry, my chairperson, and Dr. Mary Enright, committee chair for their continual encouragement and patience in guiding me towards completing the dissertation journey. Also, a special thanks to close friends who encouraged me, reviewed my dissertation, and gave me helpful feedback. Your help will never be forgotten. Table of Contents List of Tables .......................................................................................................................v Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................1 Background ....................................................................................................................2 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................5 Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................6 Research Question .........................................................................................................7 Theoretical Framework for the Study ............................................................................7 Nature of the Study ........................................................................................................7 Definitions......................................................................................................................8 Assumptions ...................................................................................................................9 Scope and Delimitations ..............................................................................................10 Limitations ...................................................................................................................11 Significance of the Study .............................................................................................11 Summary and Transition ..............................................................................................12 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................14 Introduction ..................................................................................................................14 Literature Search Strategy............................................................................................16 Theoretical Foundation ................................................................................................17 Review of Relevant Literature .....................................................................................19 i Brief History of Western Medicine....................................................................... 20 Biopsychosocial Model and Conceptual Frameworks .......................................... 21 Irlen Syndrome.............................................................................................................22 History of Irlen Syndrome or Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome ............................. 24 Description of Irlen Method.................................................................................. 26 Research on the Use of Colored Filters and Colored Overlays ...................................27 Studies on the Benefits of Colored Filters or Overlays ........................................ 29 Studies Not Supporting the Benefits of Colored Overlays ................................... 37 Psychological and Social Impacts for Children with Learning Disabilities ................42 Social 44 Psychological ........................................................................................................ 48 Lived Experiences of Parents with Children with Learning Disabilities .....................51 Social Issues Related to Low Reading Comprehension ....................................... 54 Summary ......................................................................................................................56 Chapter 3: Research Method ..............................................................................................59 Introduction ..................................................................................................................59 Research Design and Rationale ...................................................................................60 Role of the Researcher .................................................................................................61 Methodology ................................................................................................................63 Population ............................................................................................................. 63 Sampling and Sampling Procedures ..................................................................... 64 ii Instrumentation ..................................................................................................... 64 Procedures for Recruitment, Participation, and Data Collection .......................... 65 Data Analysis .......................................................................................................