Duygu Mine Alataş, Mustafa Cemali, Çiğdem Öksüz, Aynur Ayşe Karaduman
{"title":"Caregiving Experiences and Expectations of Turkish Mothers of Children with Disabilities.","authors":"Duygu Mine Alataş, Mustafa Cemali, Çiğdem Öksüz, Aynur Ayşe Karaduman","doi":"10.1080/07380577.2025.2465990","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study explored the caregiving experiences and expectations of mothers of children with disabilities. Eighteen mothers agreed to participate and share their caregiving experiences and expectations through a semi-structured interview. Using thematic data analysis, three main themes emerged: transformation of a mother, expectations regarding own needs, and expectations regarding child's needs. Findings indicated that mothers required support due to the loss of their role, changes in lifestyle, the impact on family structure, and shortened routines. Mothers reported needing support for their mental and physical health, as well as help with sleep problems. They also expressed a desire to learn how to improve their children's social skills, body structure and function, and independence. The findings highlight the importance of occupational therapists using appropriate approaches based on the mothers' experiences and expectations to improve caregiving.</p>","PeriodicalId":46157,"journal":{"name":"OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY IN HEALTH CARE","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9000,"publicationDate":"2025-02-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY IN HEALTH CARE","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07380577.2025.2465990","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q4","JCRName":"REHABILITATION","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
This study explored the caregiving experiences and expectations of mothers of children with disabilities. Eighteen mothers agreed to participate and share their caregiving experiences and expectations through a semi-structured interview. Using thematic data analysis, three main themes emerged: transformation of a mother, expectations regarding own needs, and expectations regarding child's needs. Findings indicated that mothers required support due to the loss of their role, changes in lifestyle, the impact on family structure, and shortened routines. Mothers reported needing support for their mental and physical health, as well as help with sleep problems. They also expressed a desire to learn how to improve their children's social skills, body structure and function, and independence. The findings highlight the importance of occupational therapists using appropriate approaches based on the mothers' experiences and expectations to improve caregiving.
期刊介绍:
Occupational Therapy in Health Care is a journal of contemporary practice in occupational therapy. It provides occupational therapy practitioners with a forum to stay up-to-date on current methods and theories in the field. Focused on everyday practice, the journal addresses the concerns of new and experienced therapists, presenting innovations in client evaluations and treatments, current research findings, critical reviews of current textbooks, descriptions of novel programs and descriptions of fieldwork innovations. An essential guide to the changing trends in health care, social services, and education, Occupational Therapy in Health Care provides occupational therapy practitioners with a forum to stay up-to-date on current methods and theories in the field.