Family Impact of Care and Respite Service: Life Experiences of Mothers of Adult Children with Intellectual Disability and Mental Disorders
Autori:
Marcia IRAZABAL, Crescencia PASTOR, M. Cruz MOLINA
Cod: ISSN: 1583-3410 (print), ISSN: 1584-5397 (electronic)
Dimensiuni: pp. 7-18
How to cite this article:Irazabal, M., Pastor, C., Molina, M.C. (2016). Family Impact of Care and Respite Service: Life Experiences of Mothers of Adult Children with Intellectual Disability and Mental Disorders. Revista de Cercetare si Interventie Sociala, 55, 7-18. |
Abstract:
The present study was designed to investigate the impact on families of care as
perceived by the main carers (mothers) of adult children with intellectual disability
and mental disorders, and to learn about the experiences and opinions concerning
the respite service of the participants in the study. The methodological focus was
qualitative, based on an exploratory study. Four participants were interviewed in
depth. Analysis of the content was based on the dimensions of family impact of
care and respite service, and it was carried out with Atlas.ti software. The most
relevant results regarding the family impact of care indicate a negative impact
upon learning of the disability, giving rise to a situation of family crisis and a
concomitant grieving process. Concerning the perception of care the testimony
given emphasizes overprotection, mutual dependency, the feeling of overload,
and concern for the future, as well as feelings of pleasure and gratitude. Areas
shown to be lacking include space for oneself, as well as the emotional, psychological,
and physical domains. The respite service is seen to offer relief
although it also induces feelings of separation and guilt. The main conclusions
highlight; the need for understanding the family and the intellectual disability as
complex phenomena, the existence of a double dimension in relation to the impact
of care and the respite service as a necessary support. The results of this study
may serve as a guide to future research in this area.
Keywords:
intellectual disability, mental health, family impact, respite care, qualitative study, families.
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