title: Mothering a 3- to 6-year-old child with hemiparesis.
abstract: Stroke is estimated to occur in approximately 2.5-3.2 children per 100,000 annually. While some aspects of mothering a disabled child are currently known, there are other aspects of this experience that remain unknown. Much of the research focuses on children who are severely disabled, thus leaving a gap in what is known about the experience of mothers of mildly to moderately disabled children. Little is understood about mothering children who have a less severe disability, and in particular, a 3- to 6-year old child with hemiparesis. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe the experience of mothering a 3- to 6-year old child with hemiparesis. This study incorporated a phenomenological approach using Colaizzi's descriptive methodology. The participants were five biological mothers of children aged 3-6 years who were diagnosed with hemiparesis following a stroke. The children were considered mildly to moderately disabled and required two to three therapies, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, or special education. In-depth, face-to-face interviews were conducted, audiotaped, and transcribed verbatim. By using Colaizzi's method for data analysis, the following six themes emerged: (1) Mothers' Way to Know, (2) Being Blown Away, (3) Gradual Awakening to an Uncertain Future, (4) Fiercely Advocating for My Child, (5) Living in a Middle World, and (6) A Heart Filled with Joy and Sorrow. This study provided data that were used to provide a beginning description of the experience of mothering a child with hemiparesis.
authors.affiliation: Marjorie K. Unterberg School of Nursing and Health Studies of Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ, USA. dmeehan@monmouth.edu
authors.forename: Diane Ryder
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Meehan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010291:Paresis / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology*; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000379:methods; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000379:methods; D012934:Social Isolation; D020521:Stroke / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology*