Psychosocial challenges experienced by children with cerebral palsy and their families in Moses Kotane hospital in Bojanala district, South Africa

Abstract

The goal of the study was to investigate describe the psychosocial problems experienced by children with cerebral palsy and their families in Moses Kotane Hospital, Bojanala District. The study had the following objectives, in order to get more insight about the nature and challenges of CP: • To identify the psychological and social problems faced by children with cerebral palsy and their families. • To find out the social and emotional effects of cerebral palsy on children with CP and their families. • To find out if there are any programs in place to address the problems and needs of children with cerebral palsy and their families in Moses Kotane Hospital, Bojanala District. • To investigate social work services provided to children with cerebral palsy and their families in Moses Kotane Hospital, Bojanala District. The aim of the study was to determine the social and psychological challenges that children with cerebral palsy and their families go through on daily basis. In order to achieve this goal, a qualitative research approach was adopted to investigate these challenges and to make people aware of them, with the aim that they will come to an end. To this end, the in depth interview sessions which comprised of open ended questionnaire guided this cerebral palsy study. Purposive sampling method was employed to identify potential participants, and resulted in the recruitment of 10 children with cerebral palsy. These children attend CP clinic in Moses Kotane Hospital on a monthly basis. Semi-structured interviews held on one-on-one basis guided by the open ended questions contained in the interview schedule were used as a method to collect data. The findings of the study confirmed that children with cerebral palsy do experience problems on daily basis. The study further proved that problems that children with CP go through on daily basis also have a negative and direct impact on their families, particularly their parents (mothers). The ultimate goal of the study was definitely achieved as it revealed the social and psychological challenges that children with CP goes through on daily basis. The study recommended that education be given to the society, particularly in rural communities on the importance of acknowledgement and acceptance of people with disabilities as people of worth and dignity, and to accept them as, and for who they are.