Impact of caring for a school-aged child with a disability: understanding mothers' perspectives.
OBJECTIVE
Children with a disability are reliant on a capable, healthy and well-resourced carer. Most often the child's mother provides the care that ensures the child's health, service access and community integration are attended to successfully. Through in-depth interviews with mothers and professionals, this study explores issues that challenge the mother's performance in her very important role as a caregiver.


METHODS
Qualitative methodology(n=8)resulted in verbatim transcriptions that were analysed and categorised, and common themes were derived.


RESULTS
Participants identified a multitude of challenges related to issues surrounding the child, maternal characteristics, the family, services and the community. Emotional distress and mental health issues were reported.


CONCLUSIONS
Many aspects of caregiving can be relentless and challenging. Occupational therapy clinical implications aimed at supporting mothers and their children are discussed.
Bourke-Taylor
Helen
H
School of Occupational Therapy, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia. h.bourke-taylor@latrobe.edu.au
Howie
Linsey
L
Law
Mary
M
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012574:Schools; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D013334:Students