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Family Quality of Life and Support: Perceptions of Family Members of Children with Disabilities in Ethiopia

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  • Julia Jansen-van Vuuren

    (School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada)

  • Rosemary Lysaght

    (School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada)

  • Beata Batorowicz

    (School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada)

  • Solomon Dawud

    (Community Based Rehabilitation Program, University of Gondar, Gondar P.O. Box 196, Ethiopia)

  • Heather Michelle Aldersey

    (School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada)

Abstract

There has been increasing attention to quality of life for families supporting children with disabilities internationally; however, there is minimal research on family quality of life (FQOL) in low-income countries, and specifically in African contexts. This study explored how Ethiopian families of children with disabilities conceptualised FQOL and what they perceived their support needs related to FQOL were. Using a qualitative exploratory descriptive design, we interviewed Ethiopian family members of children with various disabilities. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and translated into English with professional translation assistance. We analysed translated transcripts inductively based on Braun and Clarke’s approach to thematic analysis. We found that spirituality was core to families and that they described FQOL in terms of their relationships within the immediate family and with the community. Additionally, families wanted to be self-sufficient and provide for themselves, but with the additional challenges of raising a child with a disability and pervasive poverty, they recognised their need for more support. Therefore, providing holistic, family-centred services to Ethiopian families of children with disabilities can contribute to enhancing FQOL.

Suggested Citation

  • Julia Jansen-van Vuuren & Rosemary Lysaght & Beata Batorowicz & Solomon Dawud & Heather Michelle Aldersey, 2021. "Family Quality of Life and Support: Perceptions of Family Members of Children with Disabilities in Ethiopia," Disabilities, MDPI, vol. 1(3), pages 1-24, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jdisab:v:1:y:2021:i:3:p:18-256:d:619152
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hanlon, Charlotte & Whitley, Rob & Wondimagegn, Dawit & Alem, Atalay & Prince, Martin, 2009. "Postnatal mental distress in relation to the sociocultural practices of childbirth: An exploratory qualitative study from Ethiopia," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 69(8), pages 1211-1219, October.
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    4. Mabel Oti-Boadi, 2017. "Exploring the Lived Experiences of Mothers of Children With Intellectual Disability in Ghana," SAGE Open, , vol. 7(4), pages 21582440177, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Gaurav, Navjit & Aldersey, Heather M. & Lewis, John L. & Batorowicz, Beata, 2023. "Designing schools for all: Indian architects’ perspectives about physical disability and disability-related school design needs," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).

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