Phenomenology of Parental Stress from the Point of View of Mothers of Children with Down Syndrome

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Department of Psychology and Counseling, Farhangian University, Tehran. Iran

Abstract

The aim of this research is to investigate the phenomenological experience of parental stress from the point of view of mothers of children with Down Syndrome (D.S). For the purpose and nature of the subject-matter, i.e. mothers' lived experience of living with a child with D.S, the method of this research is a descriptive phenomenological strategy. The participants in this research are 7 mothers of children with D.S (3 to 6 years old) in the age range of 33 to 55 years in accordance with the characteristics of the participants of this research, the purposeful sampling method was used. After examining and summarizing the answers of mothers of children with D.S about their experience in the process of parenting, the main areas highlighted by them can be classified into six main categories, which are: accepting the child; worry about the child's future; lack of familiarity with appropriate educational strategies; small emotions; Problems related to the child's health and problems related to other family members. These categories can be used in the process of designing family-oriented educational and rehabilitation programs for mothers of children with D.S.

Keywords


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