Exploring role strain in caregivers of children living with disabilities in Lobatse, Botswana

Abstract

Individuals living with disabilities demand the assistance of their loved ones, as they perform an indispensable role of informal caregiving to support them in performing their activities of daily living, something that can result in caregiver role strain. Caregiver role strain refers to the resultant emotional and physical stress experienced by individuals who help in the provision of care of their loved ones diagnosed with physical, emotional and behavioural problems The aim of this study was to explore and describe the role strain experienced by caregivers of children living with disabilities in Lobatse, to contribute to guidelines that will promote their quality of life. The study was conducted to answer the research questions: What is the role strain experienced by caregivers of children living with disabilities in Lobatse; and what can be done to promote the quality of life of these caregivers in Lobatse. The employing of a qualitative research design with an exploratory, descriptive, and contextual approach was to explore and describe caregiver role strain in caring for children living with disabilities. The researcher used a purposive sampling technique, and ultimately, obtained a sample consisting of 11 participants and reached data saturation. Semi-structured interviews took place telephonically, and were recorded using an audio recorder. The interviews were in Setswana, a language preferred by the participants and later transcribed verbatim, and subsequently translated into English. Data were analysed qualitatively using the content analysis method. Trustworthiness was through authenticity, credibility, dependability, transferability, and confirmability. Four main themes emerged as follows: caring for a child with disability affects the overall health of the caregiver; caring for children living with disabilities puts financial strain on the caregivers; caring for children living with disabilities has an impact on other roles; strategies employed to cope with the strain of caring for a child living with disability. The themes were analysed along the study objectives and corroborated through the literature control. Conclusions: The findings indicated that the role strain in caring for a child living with a disability has a negative bearing on the caregivers. Furthermore, the negative experiences they encounter as they execute the caregiving role overwhelms them. However, the caregivers described the various valuable strategies they employed in order to cope with the strain of the caregiving role, which included acceptance, social support, support groups and prayer. The basis for the guidelines proposed was on their comments and recommendations.