Abstracts Category : Other

Occupational balance of mothers and fathers raising a child with special needs in Flanders

by Anne-Marie Engelen

ENGLISH SUMMARY : After the birth of a first child, a new role appears. Successful integration and performance of this parent role will positively affect the well-being of both parents, which in turn will enhance child and family well-being. Being a parent of a child with special needs, leads to extra parental occupations. A new distribution of all these different occupations within the occupational pattern urges and can be viewed from three different perspectives, namely: occupational areas, occupational characteristics and time use.The aim of the study was to explore occupational balance as experienced by mothers and fathers rearing a child with special needs in Flanders. Objectives related to this study were to explore the influence of occupations on the occupational balance of mothers and fathers and to explore the differences and similarities between mothers and fathers perceptions of occupational balance. A qualitative research methodology with semi-structured interviews of 12 parental couples was used. Participants were selected by purposive sampling through chain referral. Once both parents agreed to participate voluntarily a semi-structured interview was conducted, audiotaped and transcribed verbatim.Results, obtained through thematic analysis, showed that extra time for special needs was primarily found in the change of the occupational pattern. So called we- and me-time occupations were reduced. We time was lacking most, as both parents prioritized facilitating the me-time of their spouse above the joyful moments together as a couple. As so called necessary support was already provided by the grandparents, asking extra assistance to obtain time as a couple felt uncomfortable and therefore was often ignored. Although gender related differences were limited, generally mothers were less active at the labour market but conducted more household, care and support activities when compared with fathers. Gender dissimilarities were available in special needs caring and supporting activities. Direct care and support were mainly provided by mothers while fathers were more active in indirect care. To give an example the father takes care of the siblings (indirect care) while the mother is attending the childs therapy (direct care). Besides the three above mentioned perspectives to view the occupational pattern and to determine the occupational balance, two perspectives were added. Specific characteristics of an individual parent, labelled as personal factors had an effect on the occupational pattern, on the perception of the desired and needed occupations, on the coping strategies and therefore on the perceived occupational balance of each parent. External factors of support were components of support to be transmitted from one individual to another. On the one hand giving support and on the other hand receiving support had an influence on the occupational pattern and balance. Some occupations had to be included while other occupations could be skipped as they were conducted by someone else. To conclude twoAdvisors/Committee Members: Sheik Ismail, Arifa, Bester, Juanita, Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences. Occupational Therapy..