Experiences of mothers caring for a child with an intellectual disability during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands

P. J. C. M. Embregts*, G. C. J. Heerkens, N. Frielink, S. A. H. Giesbers, L. Vromans, A. Jahoda

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

34 Citations (Scopus)
276 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background
During the first COVID-19 lockdown period, various restrictions led to diminished access to both educational and professional support systems for children with an intellectual disability and their families. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and needs of parents caring for a child with an intellectual disability during the first lockdown period in the Netherlands.

Method
Five mothers caring for a child with an intellectual disability participated in this qualitative study. The participants were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews lasted between 26 and 48 min. The interview recordings were transcribed verbatim, and the transcripts were analysed thematically.

Results
Three overarching themes emerged: (1) We need to stay healthy, which centres on the mother's urge to protect their child's well-being; (2) We make it work, which provides insight into how the mothers were handling the drastic changes in their family; and (3) My child's and family's place in the world, which focuses on the mothers' experienced position in the world around them.

Conclusions
The current study provides valuable insights into the experiences and needs of mothers caring for a child with an intellectual disability during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)760-771
JournalJournal of Intellectual Disability Research
Volume65
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • DEVELOPMENTAL-DISABILITIES
  • FAMILY
  • IMPACT
  • PARENTS
  • QUALITY-OF-LIFE
  • coronavirus
  • experiences
  • mothers with a child with an intellectual disability
  • pandemic

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