2023 Volume 26 Issue 1 Pages 32-40
Objective: This study aimed to describe the support needs of parents with mental disabilities during pregnancy and parenting per the parents’ perceptions.
Methods: The qualitative descriptive study with individual semi-structured interviews was conducted with 10 parents (eight female, two male) with mental disabilities who have children under the age of 18. The transcripts were coded from the perspective of “what support do the parents need?” Categories were created at a higher level of abstraction. Support needs were examined at different times by different support personnel.
Results: Six categories were identified: not to discriminate against them because of their disability, need an explanation of medication and preparation for worsening symptoms during pregnancy and breastfeeding, need support to supplement housework and childcare they cannot do due to illnesses or disabilities, need support as a parent despite their disabilities, need cooperation to support parents and children, need caring and empathy. Sixteen subcategories were identified, including “support to prevent children from being hit when parents’ medical condition worsens”.
Conclusion: The following are considered necessary: support to prevent discrimination, support for medication and medical conditions during the perinatal period, reduction of the burden of housework and childcare, recovery-oriented support for parents so that they can live with their children even when their condition worsens, support that enables them to avoid being harsh with their children, support based on the commonality of being parents, support in cooperation with other supporters, sharing information with the parent’s consent, and a system for easy consultation.
