Department of Psychology/Center for Ageing Studies, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Department of Psychology, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Res Dev Disabil. 2022 Sep;128:104274. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2022.104274. Epub 2022 Jun 23.
Parents of children with developmental disabilities (DD) have diverse challenges and needs. If met, these parents are able to provide adequate care for their children. Unfulfilled needs like information about their child's diagnosis, counselling, and poor access to informal and formal supports increase parental stress and hinder their potential to provide optimal care for their children and themselves.
This study explores the unique challenges and needs of parents caring for children with DD in the Accra metropolis. This is the first study exploring the needs of parents in a Lower-middle income (LMIC) country like Ghana.
A qualitative research design was adopted for this study. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews from 9 parents of children with DD.
Findings from thematic analysis revealed five themes including; Emotional needs; Informational needs; Financial needs; Informal Support, and Formalized Support. Parents indicated their great need for information on their children's condition, support from family, religious groups, and other formalized institutions and how to provide better care.
Parents have several expectations and needs which must be addressed. Findings have the potential of influencing the design and development of appropriate interventions to meet the needs and improve the quality of life of parents of children with DD in the Ghanaian context.
发育障碍儿童（DD）的父母面临着多样化的挑战和需求。如果这些需求得到满足，他们就能为孩子提供充分的照顾。父母的一些需求未得到满足，例如有关孩子诊断的信息、咨询以及获得非正式和正式支持的机会有限，这些因素会增加他们的压力，并阻碍他们为孩子和自己提供最佳照顾的潜力。
本研究旨在探讨在加纳阿克拉都会区照顾发育障碍儿童的父母所面临的独特挑战和需求。这是首次在像加纳这样的中低收入国家（LMIC）中探索父母需求的研究。
本研究采用了定性研究设计。通过半结构式访谈，从 9 位照顾发育障碍儿童的家长那里收集了数据。
主题分析的结果揭示了五个主题，包括情感需求、信息需求、经济需求、非正式支持和正式支持。家长们表示，他们非常需要了解孩子的病情、来自家庭、宗教团体和其他正式机构的支持，以及如何提供更好的照顾。
家长有许多期望和需求，必须得到满足。这些发现有可能影响到适合干预措施的设计和制定，以满足加纳背景下发育障碍儿童父母的需求并提高他们的生活质量。
