City Research Online

Abstract

Background

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common childhood physical disability in developed countries. Parents of children with CP experience difficulties that can result in reduced well‐being. Health professionals supporting children with CP have been encouraged to focus on parental well‐being as this forms part of the child's essential environment. There is a lack of evidence about interventions that holistically support the whole family by providing therapeutic input for the child and support for parents. This study aimed to explore parents' experiences of play‐based groups for children with CP and their parents, with a focus on the groups' impact on parents' well‐being.

Methods

Parents of children with CP who had attended play‐based groups in the year prior were recruited for this qualitative study. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted, audio‐recorded and transcribed verbatim. Participants' demographic characteristics were collected as contextual information. Data were analysed using an inductive thematic approach.

Results

Ten mothers were interviewed. Overall, mothers had positive experiences of the groups and perceived them as an important influence on their well‐being. Four themes described mothers' experiences of the groups and the subsequent impact on their well‐being: (1) practical support, (2) connecting with others, (3) transitioning journeys and (4) different motivators, different experiences. Numerous factors influenced mothers' experiences of attending the groups and the subsequent impact on their well‐being. This included mothers' individual experiences of having a child with CP.

Conclusions

Interventions combining practical and social support for the whole family can have a positive impact on the well‐being of mothers of children with CP. Care should be taken to provide individualised support for each family. There is no ‘one‐size‐fits‐all’ approach, and a package of care can provide multiple services that meet the varying needs of mothers and their children with CP.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium,provided the original work is properly cited.© 2022 The Authors. Child: Care, Health and Development published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Publisher Keywords:	cerebral palsy, child disability, groups, parents, social support, well-being
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics R Medicine > RT Nursing
Departments:	School of Health & Psychological Sciences School of Health & Psychological Sciences > Nursing
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

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