The Experience of Chinese Parents of Children with Language Development Delay(LDD) in Family Intervention under the ABC-X Model: A Qualitative Study

Background: Childhood language development delay (LDD) has emerged as a pressing global public health challenge, and targeted family interventions are pivotal to enhancing prognostic outcomes in the context of China. Objective: Drawing on the ABC-X model, this study investigates the experiences of Chinese parents of children with LDD throughout family interventions, examining their stressors, resources, perceptions and coping strategies. Methods: A qualitative study was performed at Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital (June–October 2025) among parents of children with LDD undergoing parent-implemented intervention (PII). Family sociodemographic data, children’s clinical baseline information, and family intervention profiles were collected. After pre-surveying three parents to refine interview questions, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 parents; audio recordings were analysed via Colaizzi’s seven-step method. Results: A dynamic "Pressure-Resources-Perception-Adaptation" model was established, with four key themes identified: (1) Pressure: coexistence of multiple pressures in family intervention; (2) Resources: insufficient support systems; (3) Perception: divergent parental cognition of family intervention; (4) Adaptation: varied family intervention capabilities. Conclusion: Parents of children with LDD face multiple pressures during family intervention; inadequate coping resources, unmet social support demands and negative perceptions tend to lead to passive coping. Future parent-centred support programs based on family stress theory should reduce specific pressures, establish systematic support resources, promote positive cognitive restructuring, strengthen family resilience, and thereby enhance intervention effectiveness and improve children’s LDD prognosis.