Employment experiences and challenges of parents supporting young people with intellectual disabilities in Harbin, China

This study examined how Chinese cultural and socioeconomic contexts shape family support for young adults with intellectual disabilities seeking employment.Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 parents in Harbin, China, analysed using family systems theory.Findings revealed distinctly Chinese support patterns characterised by intense parental involvement, collective resource mobilisation, and emphasis on family harmony. Parents balanced traditional values with modern employment demands amid China's rapidly evolving labour market and limited formal services.Chinese families develop unique strategies blending family-centred support with professional services, suggesting need for culturally responsive approaches addressing these unique contexts.