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BMC Primary Care
Published in: BMC Primary Care 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

Experiences and needs of carers of Aboriginal children with a disability: a qualitative study

Authors: Michelle DiGiacomo, Anna Green, Patricia Delaney, John Delaney, Patrick Patradoon-Ho, Patricia Mary Davidson, Penelope Abbott

Published in: BMC Primary Care | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

Australian parents/carers of a person with a disability experience higher rates of depression, more financial stress, and are twice as likely to be in poor physical health than the general population. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experience worse health, social and economic outcomes than other Australians, and those with a disability face ‘double disadvantage’. This study aimed to better understand the experiences and needs of parents/carers/families of Aboriginal children with a disability.

Methods

Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with parents or primary carers of Aboriginal children aged zero-eight with disability. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Nineteen women (sixteen mothers and three grandmothers) were interviewed. More than half were lone carers (without a partner or spouse). Participants described their experiences, including challenges and facilitators, to providing and accessing care, impacts on their health and wellbeing, and associated economic and non-economic costs of caregiving. Financial strain and social isolation was particularly prominent for lone carers.

Conclusions

Tailoring services to the needs of carers of Aboriginal children with a disability means supporting kinship caregiving, facilitating engagement with other Aboriginal families, and streamlining services and systems to mitigate costs. The experiences described by our participants depict an intersection of race, socio-economic status, gender, disability, and caregiving. Services and funding initiatives should incorporate such intersecting determinants in planning and delivery of holistic care.
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Metadata
Title
Experiences and needs of carers of Aboriginal children with a disability: a qualitative study
Authors
Michelle DiGiacomo
Anna Green
Patricia Delaney
John Delaney
Patrick Patradoon-Ho
Patricia Mary Davidson
Penelope Abbott
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Primary Care / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 2731-4553
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-017-0668-3

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