While it is recognised that the burden on the caregiver of a person who has suffered a
neurological event is great, research into the experience of caregiving and the effects of
cognitive-communicative difficulties on intergenerational families is lacking. Studies
examining these experiences within a multicultural and multilingual setting such as South
Africa are few. The effects of neurogenic communication disorders in family systems also
require further investigation. This study explores parent caregivers’ experiences of caring for
their once-independent adult child, who are now faced with the reality of parenting for the
second time. A qualitative research design was employed. Eighteen parents of adult children
who have suffered TBIs, strokes or brain tumours were interviewed. The data obtained were
analysed by means of thematic analysis. Themes associated with caring for an adult child,
specifically in the South African context, are identified and discussed. These themes related
to the parent caregiver’s experience of loss – loss of their child due to physical and cognitivecommunicative
difficulties as well as the loss of their own dreams and plans for the future.
Multiple roles within intergenerational family systems, support and information are identified
as significant factors in either minimising or exacerbating their experience of loss. These
themes are explained within a Family Systems Theory framework and assist in identifying both
positive and negative factors that impact on experiences of caring for an adult child. It stresses
the importance of the implementation of sustainable programmes and support services
specifically catering for parents of adult children with neurological communication disorders.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/14860 |
| Date | 03 July 2014 |
| Creators | Sedgwick, Ruthann |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf, application/pdf |
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