Parents' process of coping with the child's mental disabilities

Maja Markovič (2013) Parents' process of coping with the child's mental disabilities. Diploma thesis.

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Abstract

This diploma thesis tries to present parents’ process of coping with the child’s mental disabilities. Within theoretical part, I try to define mental disabilities. I present families with a mentally disabled child through the description of contemporary family, parenting and society's expectations regarding family life. Furthermore, I describe the process of coping and support needed. The empirical part presents the results of qualitative analysis, in which I conducted interviews with two couples. Interviews have been divided into four areas, which I analyzed later on: the presentation of a child, the process of coping, family dynamics, social position and support systems. Results of the analysis showed that parents’ process of coping depended primarily on their individual characteristics and their experience of the support needed. Parents showed high level of acceptance of the child and the family situation regardless of the individual’s coping process. Despite the initial differences between partners, parents expressed the interconnectedness of family members. The survey results point to parents’ greater need for information concerning the child’s disability and their support options. Results showed the great importance that experience with professionals have for parents. Also, results showed their need for a reasonable approach and appropriate way of working referring to experts that provide assistance.

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