The Lived Experiences of the Mothers of Children With Speech Disabilities

Abstract

Background: The mother, as the first and foremost person interacting with the child, suffers the most from the child’s speech disability. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of mothers of children with speech disabilities. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using a descriptive phenomenological approach and purposive sampling in Tehran, Iran in 2021. Data were generated through 20 semi-structured interviews with mothers whose children needed speech therapy for at least six months and had been referred to speech therapy centers in Tehran, Iran. The interviews continued until data saturation. Data analysis was performed using Colaizzi’s seven-step method. Results: Four main themes and nine subthemes emerged, including intrapersonal suffering (psychological pressure and physical pain), feeling empty (lack of husband support and lack of support from the husband’s family), interpersonal conflicts (challenge with therapists and facing public reaction), and need for balance (self-imposed social exclusion/isolation, take refuge in superstitions out of despair, and take refuge in the support of peer mothers). Conclusion: The results of this research revealed that paying attention to the inner suffering and pain experienced by these mothers is necessary. Support from their husbands and health workers could help them to better resolve the conflicts and create balance in their lives. Implementation of psychological interventions to reduce the subjective and objective burden of these mothers and involving them in counseling sessions can reduce their anxiety and stress.

Keywords

• disabled children
• speech-language pathology
• parent-child relations
• social stigma
• qualitative research