Redquest Brianne K, Reinders Nicole, Bryden Pamela J, Schneider Margaret, Fletcher Paula C
Author Affiliations: PhD student (Ms Redquest), Masters of Science student (Ms Reinders), Professor (Drs Bryden and Fletcher), and Associate Professor (Dr Schneider), Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
Clin Nurse Spec. 2015 May-Jun;29(3):E8-15. doi: 10.1097/NUR.0000000000000122.
Among Canadian children 14 years or younger, an estimated 202 350 (3.7%) are currently diagnosed with a disability. Because of the amount of care and attention children with disabilities require, parents of these children may also experience tribulations. For the sake of this article, tribulations refer to difficulties. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to examine the lived experiences of caregivers of children with disabilities.
A qualitative approach, more specifically phenomenology, was utilized to guide this research.
Eight participants (5 biological mothers, 2 adoptive mothers, and 1 father) were recruited from a facility in Southern Ontario that serves children with physical and developmental disabilities.
Background questionnaires were completed, and 1-on-1 semistructured interviews were conducted with 8 caregivers of children with disabilities.
The following themes emerged: (1) life as a caregiver, (2) impact on siblings as perceived by the parents, and (3) changes as a result of having a child with disabilities. This article addresses only the theme "life as a caregiver."
Overall, the research study revealed the lived experiences of raising a child with special needs by specifically focusing on the lives of caregivers. Despite the many difficulties encountered, caregivers identified positive aspects associated with raising a child with special needs and the coping mechanisms that assist them in managing their stressors.
This research study provides valuable information regarding the lived experiences of caregivers of children with special needs. It may assist other individuals in similar situations by providing comfort knowing that they are not the only ones encountering this journey. It may also allow them to look at their life story with a more positive outlook. It can offer these individuals with coping mechanisms that may assist them in dealing with their stresses. Lastly, it contributes to research that examines the lives of caregivers of children with disabilities by relying on the voice of the caregivers.
在14岁及以下的加拿大儿童中，估计有202350名（3.7%）目前被诊断患有残疾。由于残疾儿童需要大量的照顾和关注，这些孩子的父母也可能经历磨难。在本文中，磨难指的是困难。因此，本研究的目的是考察残疾儿童照料者的生活经历。
采用定性研究方法，更具体地说是现象学方法来指导本研究。
从安大略省南部一家为身体和发育残疾儿童服务的机构招募了8名参与者（5名亲生母亲、2名养母和1名父亲）。
完成背景调查问卷，并对8名残疾儿童照料者进行一对一的半结构化访谈。
出现了以下主题：（1）作为照料者的生活，（2）父母所感知到的对兄弟姐妹 的影响，以及（3）因有残疾孩子而产生的变化。本文仅探讨“作为照料者的生活”这一主题。
总体而言，该研究通过特别关注照料者的生活，揭示了抚养特殊需求儿童的生活经历。尽管遇到了许多困难，但照料者们确定了与抚养特殊需求儿童相关的积极方面以及帮助他们应对压力源的应对机制。
这项研究提供了关于特殊需求儿童照料者生活经历的宝贵信息。它可以让其他处于类似情况的人感到安慰，因为他们知道自己不是唯一经历这段历程的人。这也可能使他们以更积极的态度看待自己的生活经历。它可以为这些人提供应对机制，帮助他们应对压力。最后，它通过依靠照料者的声音，为研究残疾儿童照料者的生活做出了贡献。
