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. 2021 Aug;65(8):760-771.
doi: 10.1111/jir.12859. Epub 2021 Jun 2.

Experiences of mothers caring for a child with an intellectual disability during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands

P Embregts  1 , L Heerkens  1 , N Frielink  1 , S Giesbers  1 , L Vromans  1 , A Jahoda  2
Affiliations

Experiences of mothers caring for a child with an intellectual disability during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands

P Embregts et al. J Intellect Disabil Res. 2021 Aug.

Abstract

Background: During the first COVID-19 lockdown period, various restrictions led to diminished access to both educational and professional support systems for children with an intellectual disability and their families. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and needs of parents caring for a child with an intellectual disability during the first lockdown period in the Netherlands.

Method: Five mothers caring for a child with an intellectual disability participated in this qualitative study. The participants were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews lasted between 26 and 48 min. The interview recordings were transcribed verbatim, and the transcripts were analysed thematically.

Results: Three overarching themes emerged: (1) We need to stay healthy, which centres on the mother's urge to protect their child's well-being; (2) We make it work, which provides insight into how the mothers were handling the drastic changes in their family; and (3) My child's and family's place in the world, which focuses on the mothers' experienced position in the world around them.

Conclusions: The current study provides valuable insights into the experiences and needs of mothers caring for a child with an intellectual disability during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; coronavirus; experiences; mothers with a child with an intellectual disability; pandemic.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare not to have any conflict of interest.

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