Giving Voices: Qualitative Study on Parental Experiences of Caring for Children with Cerebral Palsy or Developmental Disabilities in South Korea

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: This study investigates the lived experiences of Korean parents caring for children with cerebral palsy or developmental disabilities, focusing on the challenges they face. It highlights systemic and societal factors, including gaps in diagnostic processes,...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Bogcheon Choi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Children
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/3/284
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849341420270256128
author Bogcheon Choi
author_facet Bogcheon Choi
author_sort Bogcheon Choi
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives</b>: This study investigates the lived experiences of Korean parents caring for children with cerebral palsy or developmental disabilities, focusing on the challenges they face. It highlights systemic and societal factors, including gaps in diagnostic processes, financial support, access to information, and inclusive education. <b>Methods</b>: Using a qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 parents, recruited through purposive sampling. Thematic analysis was employed to identify key patterns and challenges in their experiences. <b>Results</b>: Parents reported significant difficulties, including delayed and insensitive diagnostic processes, financial burdens due to inadequate welfare support, and limited access to coordinated information. Educational challenges included disabling attitudes among teachers and a lack of genuine inclusion. Societal stigma further compounded their struggles. Despite these obstacles, parents demonstrated resilience and advocated for their children’s needs. Despite these obstacles, parents demonstrated resilience and advocated for their children’s needs. <b>Conclusions</b>: This study provides valuable insights into the challenges faced by parents of disabled children in South Korea, emphasizing the need for systemic reforms to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for these families.
format Article
id doaj-art-563e89cacc7f43228e82326d4ff0e59f
institution Kabale University
issn 2227-9067
language English
publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Children
spelling doaj-art-563e89cacc7f43228e82326d4ff0e59f2025-08-20T03:43:37ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672025-02-0112328410.3390/children12030284Giving Voices: Qualitative Study on Parental Experiences of Caring for Children with Cerebral Palsy or Developmental Disabilities in South KoreaBogcheon Choi0Department of Rehabilitation, Jeonju University, Jeonju 55069, Republic of Korea<b>Background/Objectives</b>: This study investigates the lived experiences of Korean parents caring for children with cerebral palsy or developmental disabilities, focusing on the challenges they face. It highlights systemic and societal factors, including gaps in diagnostic processes, financial support, access to information, and inclusive education. <b>Methods</b>: Using a qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 parents, recruited through purposive sampling. Thematic analysis was employed to identify key patterns and challenges in their experiences. <b>Results</b>: Parents reported significant difficulties, including delayed and insensitive diagnostic processes, financial burdens due to inadequate welfare support, and limited access to coordinated information. Educational challenges included disabling attitudes among teachers and a lack of genuine inclusion. Societal stigma further compounded their struggles. Despite these obstacles, parents demonstrated resilience and advocated for their children’s needs. Despite these obstacles, parents demonstrated resilience and advocated for their children’s needs. <b>Conclusions</b>: This study provides valuable insights into the challenges faced by parents of disabled children in South Korea, emphasizing the need for systemic reforms to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for these families.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/3/284children with disabilitiesparenting challengesparental lived experiencesfamily support systemsqualitative research
spellingShingle Bogcheon Choi
Giving Voices: Qualitative Study on Parental Experiences of Caring for Children with Cerebral Palsy or Developmental Disabilities in South Korea
Children
children with disabilities
parenting challenges
parental lived experiences
family support systems
qualitative research
title Giving Voices: Qualitative Study on Parental Experiences of Caring for Children with Cerebral Palsy or Developmental Disabilities in South Korea
title_full Giving Voices: Qualitative Study on Parental Experiences of Caring for Children with Cerebral Palsy or Developmental Disabilities in South Korea
title_fullStr Giving Voices: Qualitative Study on Parental Experiences of Caring for Children with Cerebral Palsy or Developmental Disabilities in South Korea
title_full_unstemmed Giving Voices: Qualitative Study on Parental Experiences of Caring for Children with Cerebral Palsy or Developmental Disabilities in South Korea
title_short Giving Voices: Qualitative Study on Parental Experiences of Caring for Children with Cerebral Palsy or Developmental Disabilities in South Korea
title_sort giving voices qualitative study on parental experiences of caring for children with cerebral palsy or developmental disabilities in south korea
topic children with disabilities
parenting challenges
parental lived experiences
family support systems
qualitative research
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/3/284
work_keys_str_mv AT bogcheonchoi givingvoicesqualitativestudyonparentalexperiencesofcaringforchildrenwithcerebralpalsyordevelopmentaldisabilitiesinsouthkorea