Exceeding the Usual: Struggles and Coping Mechanisms of Parents with Differently-abled Children
Keywords:
Social Science, struggles of parents, coping mechanisms, differently-abled children, qualitative study, phenomenology, PhilippinesAbstract
It is unplanned for parents to have children with disabilities and this certain phenomenon has been studied across the globe for years. Studies reported that parents with differently-abled children went through bigger challenges, and they experienced rough terrains in their situation.The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to discover the struggles and coping mechanisms of parents having differently-abled children. We employed a qualitative design using phenomenological approach. Through purposive sampling, fifteen (15) participants willingly responded to questions regarding the struggles they encountered as parents of differently-abled children and their coping mechanisms through a key informant interview technique. Results revealed six themes as regards their struggles. Participants were challenged communicating with the child, stressed of child’s frequent sickness, troubled about child’s misdemeanor, wounded with the slur of bullying and rejection, burdened financially, and strained emotionally. Furthermore, eight themes emerged as their coping mechanisms. A range of struggles experienced by the parents impacted them and their family. Furthermore, coping mechanisms applied by parents were geared towards children’s well-being. And, they served as their weapons in overcoming their day-to-day struggles.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)
Under the following terms:
-
Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
-
NonCommercial — You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
-
NoDerivatives — If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you may not distribute the modified material.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
Notices:
- You do not have to comply with the license for elements of the material in the public domain or where your use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation.
- No warranties are given. The license may not give you all of the permissions necessary for your intended use. For example, other rights such as publicity, privacy, or moral rights may limit how you use the material.
