Exploring role strain and experiences of caregivers of children living with disabilities.
Keletwaetse Sakwape, Rorisang Machailo, Magdalene P Koen
PMID 36598914WHAT IT FOUND
Caregivers of children with disabilities in Botswana described fatigue, back pain, worry, guilt and financial strain.
They coped through acceptance, prayer, family support and support groups.
Key findings
01Caregivers described physical and mental strain, including fatigue, backaches, worry, crying and feeling drained.
02Caregivers reported financial strain and difficulty working because of caregiving demands.
03Acceptance of the child's disability and support groups were described as coping strategies.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study included only 11 caregivers from one town, so the themes cannot be generalised to all families of children with disabilities. The caregivers cared for children with different disabilities, so the findings may not capture strain related to specific conditions. Three caregivers declined to take part because they were uncomfortable sharing sensitive information by phone, and interviews were telephonic because of COVID-19 protocols, which may have affected who spoke and how openly.
Declared interests
This research was funded by the North-West University Faculty of Health Sciences Research Bursary, and the authors declared no conflict of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the reported coping strategies as evidence that they reduce caregiver strain. This was a qualitative interview study of 11 caregivers, so it describes what they said, not what worked.