Caring for children with an intellectual disability: An exploratory qualitative study

Abstract

This study explored family caregiver experiences of children with an intellectual disability in a rural South African day-care centre. The family caregivers (N = 15; mothers = 60%; age range = 35 to 68 years) completed in-depth interviews regarding their experiences providing care to children with intellectual disability. Data collection and analysis was done using phenomenological methods. The following themes emerged to characterise the family caregiver experiences: deeper understanding of intellectual disability; disability disclosure conditions; and social and economic support needs. Family support emerged as an important factor in the relationship between caregivers’ psychological stress and well-being.

Keywords:

• children
• disclosure
• family caregivers
• intellectual disability
• psychological well-being
• social support

Notes

1 A stokvel is a typically South African investment and/or savings society, classified as an informal financial scheme. It generally enables its members to make joint savings. Aside from taking turns in receiving the contributions of all the society’s members, members get the opportunity to socialise and care for each other through regularly held parties [see the South African Reserve Bank (1996)].