Mothers with physical disabilities caring for young children

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Study explored how mothers with physical disabilities provide care for their child, including the involvement of the family system and external supports. Seventy-one mothers with a physical disability who had a child aged 0 to 3 years responded to a survey about the system of care used for their child. Questions were asked about: the mother’s disability or medical condition, demographic information, who provides care for their youngest child, the impact of others providing care on a mother’s relationships with her child and partner, strategies mothers use to remain central to their child with others participating in their child’s care, and the use of adapted equipment or techniques in caring for their child. The results indicated that mothers participated in all different types of care (physical, comforting, playing, limit setting, and taking the child outside the home). Partners and participants’ mothers provided the most assistance with care. Mothers were generally satisfied with assistance received from others. The findings identify resources and strategies that might be beneficial to mothers with disabilities and have implications for policies that could be helpful to support mothers with physical disabilities.

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