2025 Volume 30 Pages 62-75
Living with children who have severe motor and intellectual disabilities (SMID) significantly changes the lives of all family members; thus, it is important for nurses to understand family functioning prior to providing support. In this study, semi-structured interviews focusing on family functioning were conducted with 10 families who were rearing children with SMID at home who used a home-visit nursing station. Qualitative inductive content analysis identified 10 categories and 38 subcategories associated with family functioning of families rearing for children with SMID at home: [Provision of care to children with SMID by the family, mainly by the mother], [Housework by the parents, mainly by the mother], [Parenting including siblings by the parents, mainly by the mother], [Maintenance of economic foundation, mainly by the father], [Incorporating support from significant others to meet family needs], [Use of social resources to reduce family burdens], [Coordination by mothers with others], [Fulfillment of family leisure and recreational needs], [Strengthening emotional bonds between family members], [Family initiatives planning for the future taken by the parents]. While the target families experienced family burdens associated with providing care for children with SMID, identification of strengthened family functioning, such as stronger family bonds, were noted. It is important for nurses to support reduction of family burdens as well as maintaining motivation to continue living at home by fulfilling the leisure and recreational needs of family members.
