Exploring the experiences of caregivers raising children living with disability

According to the World Health Organisation, more than a billion people are living with a disability, with the vast majority being in low- and middle-income countries. In low-income communities, caregivers of children with a disability face multiple challenges related to poverty and lack of resources, which make it difficult for them to raise their child. This study explored the experiences of caregivers raising children with disabilities in South Africa. The aim of the study was to understand the experiences and needs of the caregivers of children with disabilities, through gathering sufficient primary and secondary data to reach a deep and broad understanding of the phenomenon. Twenty primary caregivers of children living with disability from the two disadvantaged communities – Khayelitsha and Gugulethu, both Cape Town townships participated in the research. The caregivers were all the biological mother of the child and living with the child at home. This research took the form of a qualitative exploratory study, (which is the research method that will be used in as a form of research method which we will be used in the paper) allowed for obtaining data in a flexible manner and to engage with the participants within their natural setting. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in-depth telephonic interviews were conducted with the participants. A semi-structured interview schedule was used to facilitate the discussion, which was recorded using an audio recorder. The findings revealed that caregivers experienced different challenges in caring for a child with a disability. This led to them feeling isolated in their role, which was reinforced by a lack of community resources and social welfare support services; a lack of services delivery from government social services including social work intervention for caregivers of CWD left them often feeling hopeless. In these circumstances, it is recommended that the Department of Social Development incorporate systematic efforts to provide services to caregivers of children with disabilities. In addition, training should be provided to social workers to acquire skills on how to work with families of CWD. Disability should further be incorporated in the curriculum as part of social work studies.

Grantor

Department of Social Development

Year dc:date.issued

2022

Author dc:creator

• Kokolo, Busisiwe

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Abdullah, Somaya

• Clinical Social Work

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/37547

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/37547