Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

4-8-2015

Abstract

Background/Purpose: Mothering is a life-long role that requires significant time and energy (Donovan, VanLeit, Crowe, & Keefe, 2005). The amount and nature of time spent caring for adolescents with and without disabilities may vary (Crowe & Michael, 2010). This qualitative study describes the differences between the occupational performance goals of mothers of adolescents with disabilities and mothers of adolescents without disabilities. Methods: A sample of 20 mothers of adolescents with disabilities and 20 mothers of adolescents without disabilities was recruited. Adolescents had to be between 13 and 19 years of age and identified by the mother as having a disability or no disability. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (Law et al., 2005) was used to gather narrative information from the mothers in a semi-structured interview format. The data was then qualitatively analyzed and compared. Results: Using grounded theory and thematic coding, the data was organized into six themes describing the mothers occupational performance goals. Five of the six themes were shared between both groups, with minor differences in the nature of the identified occupations. However, only mothers of adolescents with disabilities identified goals concerning supporting their adolescents. Conclusions: The findings highlight the difference in the nature of occupational performance goals between mothers of adolescents with disabilities and mothers of adolescents without disabilities. While similarities exist between the two groups, it is important to understand the different demands of mothering adolescents with disabilities to better support them in their daily occupations.'

Comments

Poster presented at the University of New Mexico Occupational Therapy Graduate Program research day; Sponsored by the University of New Mexico Occupational Therapy Graduate Program

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