Ouers se belewing van die invloed van 'n serebraal gestremde kind op die huweliksverhouding

Abstract

In this qualitative study the focus lies on parents' experience of the influence of the cerebral palsy child on the marital relationship.

This research aimed at determining the way in which parents experience the influence of the cerebral palsy child on the marital relationship. To reach the required goal, a number of objectives were set. This included setting up a theoretical framework by way of a literature study as well as consultation with experts in the field of cerebral palsy children, semi-structured interviews with parents of cerebral palsy children, analysing of data and conclusions and recommendations according to the parents' experiences.

Five married couples participated as respondents during the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with all the participants. Each of the interviews was video-recorded and transcribed. Main themes, sub-themes and categories were identified in the transcriptions and studied in relation to the existing literature. True to the qualitative nature of the study, the aim was not to generalise the findings, but to give each couple the opportunity to tell their story.