‘ It shuttered down our hearts ’: the mental health of caregivers of children with cerebral palsy in rural Limpopo,South Africa

Abstract

Cerebral palsy is the most prevalent motor disability in childhood, with an estimated prevalence as high as 10 per 1,000 live births in South Africa. Cerebral palsy impacts the mental health of the maternal caregiver, who often assumes the responsibility of the primary caregiver. The current study aimed to explore the mental health of primary caregivers of children living with Cerebral palsy in rural communities of the Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study was conducted in three rural districts of Limpopo (Capricorn, Sekhukhune, and Waterberg). An exploratory qualitative research design was employed. Purposive convenience and snowball sampling were used to recruit 10 maternal primary caregivers of children living with cerebral palsy between the ages of 3 and 18 years. A semi-structured interview was used to collect data. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings of the study include that maternal primary caregivers of children with cerebral palsy experience emotional and social difficulties that impact their mental health. The emotional difficulties include emotional distress, maternal shame and guilt, feelings of lost motherhood aspirations, and feelings of acceptance. The social difficulties include withdrawal and isolation, concern over the family’s social well-being, and impact on maintaining a ‘normal’ life. The study’s implications may extend to mental health providers, policymakers within the Departments of Health and Social Development, and other stakeholders invested in the overall health and well-being of children with disabilities and their caregivers.