Contextual factors experienced by mothers of children with special needs.
Priscilla Matambanadzo, Anthea J Rhoda
PMID 39507377WHAT IT FOUND
Mothers of children with disabilities in South Africa described financial strain from unemployment, fear of marital abandonment, and stigma from family and community.
They faced barriers accessing healthcare and education, often feeling isolated and unsupported by fathers.
Key findings
01Caregiving responsibilities prevented mothers from seeking employment, leaving them reliant on insufficient disability grants.
02Mothers experienced stigma and isolation from extended family and community, including accusations regarding the cause of the disability.
03Access to healthcare and education was hindered by financial constraints, lack of transport, and poor communication from professionals.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study only included mothers, so fathers' perspectives were missing. All participants were recruited from a single community-based organisation, limiting the diversity of disability levels and backgrounds. The small sample size of eight participants means the findings are specific to this context and not generalisable. The study did not collect detailed information on the children's functional levels or the mothers' broader environmental contexts.
Declared interests
The research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume these findings apply to all caregivers of children with disabilities. The study involved only eight unemployed mothers from a single rural South African township, so the specific barriers and experiences described may differ significantly in other populations or settings.