Exploring the Lived Experience of Parenting a Child with Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip

Abstract

Aim: Parenting a child with a health issue such as hip dysplasia (DDH) can be complicated and stressful. We aimed to explore in depth, the lived experience of parenting a child with DDH.

Methods: Guided by phenomenology of practice, six mothers and one father of children with DDH were engaged in semi-structured interviews about their parenting experiences. Data were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically.

Results: Two themes emerged. Surrendering the parenting prerogative, which described participants’ accounts of losing parenting autonomy while needing to rely on others to meet the needs of their child. The second theme; Struggling to adjust day-to-day, described the impact that DDH had on parenting and how participants struggled daily to meet the needs of their child.

Conclusion: The management of DDH impacted both the emotional and practical aspects of parenting. Health professionals are ideally placed to support the parenting of children with DDH, but need to understand the parents’ particular needs to provide this support empathetically.

Keywords:

• Parenting
• pediatrics
• hip dysplasia
• phenomenology
• qualitative research

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Funding

The research team received no financial assistance to undertake this study.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Luke Wakely

Dr Luke Wakely is a Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy and Academic Team Leader Northwest for the University of Newcastle Department of Rural Health. He has a PhD, MAppSc (Paed Physio) and a BAppSc(Physio) and is an APA titled pediatric physiotherapist.

Pollyanna Easey

Ms Pollyanna Easey was a physiotherapy honours students at the University of Newcastle, she is currently a physiotherapist at the Calvary Mater Hospital in Newcastle, NSW Australia.

Jacqueline Leys

Ms Jacqueline Leys is a Lecturer in Physiotherapy (Emergency Dept) at the University of Newcastle Department of Rural Health. She has a Bachelor Physiotherapy from the University of Newcastle.

Catherine Johnston

Dr Catherine Johnston is a Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy and Program Convenor for the Physiotherapy Program at the University of Newcastle. She has a PhD, MAppSc (Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy) and BAppSc (Physiotherapy) from The University of Sydney.