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Impaired child, disabled parent? Parents’ perceptions of having a child with disability in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Johansson, Elise LU (2014) MIDM19 20141
LUMID International Master programme in applied International Development and Management
Abstract
Having a child with disability (CWD) gives rise to implications for the parents. Social and psychological challenges are known factors, together with financial constraints and employment issues, which increase the risk of poverty. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore parents’ perception of and how their lives have been impacted by having a CWD. The methods consisted of semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with parents of CWD specifically in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The ecological theory structured the analysis and used the concepts of stigma, marginalization and normalization to understand parents’ perceptions. Challenges described by parents were lack of governmental support, insufficient public services, the... (More)
Having a child with disability (CWD) gives rise to implications for the parents. Social and psychological challenges are known factors, together with financial constraints and employment issues, which increase the risk of poverty. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore parents’ perception of and how their lives have been impacted by having a CWD. The methods consisted of semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with parents of CWD specifically in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The ecological theory structured the analysis and used the concepts of stigma, marginalization and normalization to understand parents’ perceptions. Challenges described by parents were lack of governmental support, insufficient public services, the burden of care and financial issues. Opinions and reactions from society were stigmatizing and resulted in strained relationships with neighbors, friends and relatives. The feelings involved were worry and sorrows, but also hope, love and happiness. The found coping strategies were mainly to strive for public services and sufficient income, in combination with acceptance, retaining hope and turning to God. The study concluded that even if the parents were not impaired themselves, their experiences were many times similar to that of a person with disabilities. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Johansson, Elise LU
supervisor
organization
course
MIDM19 20141
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
stigma, parents, children, marginalization, disability, ecological theory, Tanzania
language
English
id
4438609
date added to LUP
2014-08-06 11:03:12
date last changed
2014-08-06 11:03:12
@misc{4438609,
  abstract     = {{Having a child with disability (CWD) gives rise to implications for the parents. Social and psychological challenges are known factors, together with financial constraints and employment issues, which increase the risk of poverty. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore parents’ perception of and how their lives have been impacted by having a CWD. The methods consisted of semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with parents of CWD specifically in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The ecological theory structured the analysis and used the concepts of stigma, marginalization and normalization to understand parents’ perceptions. Challenges described by parents were lack of governmental support, insufficient public services, the burden of care and financial issues. Opinions and reactions from society were stigmatizing and resulted in strained relationships with neighbors, friends and relatives. The feelings involved were worry and sorrows, but also hope, love and happiness. The found coping strategies were mainly to strive for public services and sufficient income, in combination with acceptance, retaining hope and turning to God. The study concluded that even if the parents were not impaired themselves, their experiences were many times similar to that of a person with disabilities.}},
  author       = {{Johansson, Elise}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Impaired child, disabled parent? Parents’ perceptions of having a child with disability in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania}},
  year         = {{2014}},
}