Frontiers in child and adolescent psychiatry
Understanding parental trauma in caring for children with down syndrome within LSEN school settings
By Adewuyi HO and Dwarika VM.
Abstract
Background
Parents raising children with Down syndrome (DS) encounter multifaceted adversities that may precipitate trauma responses, yet the intersection of caregiving, systemic barriers, and trauma remains underexplored in low-resourced educational contexts.
Aim
This study examined the nature, sources, and manifestations of parental trauma among caregivers of children with DS enrolled in Learners with Special Educational Needs (LSEN) schools in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Method
Using an interpretative phenomenological design, semi-structured interviews and a focus group were conducted with eight purposively selected parents (seven mothers, one father) whose children attended an LSEN school in Johannesburg. Data were analysed following Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis procedures.