Document Type : Research Paper
Author
ph.d.student
Abstract
Having a disabled child may have a negative impact on the mental health of parents, especially mothers. The aim of the present study was to investigate the quality of life of mothers of adolescents with hearing impairment based on a phenomenological approach. The present research design was based on a descriptive phenomenological approach. The research population included mothers of adolescents with hearing impairment in Rasht in 2023-2024. The research sample included 10 mothers of this group of adolescents who were selected through purposive sampling. The main criteria for selecting participants were: having a child with severe hearing impairment, age 35 to 50 years, the parents’ level of education from middle school to bachelor’s degree, and voluntary participation in the study. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data, and the data were analyzed using the Collaizi method. After thematic extraction and classification, the interview results were classified into eight main categories: emotional cycle, parental factors, nature of the hearing impairment, acute issues outside the family, concerns about important decisions during youth, experiencing small successes, education and awareness, and having a purpose in life. Also, 25 subcategories were extracted. Based on the findings of this study, mothers of adolescents with hearing impairment experience numerous concerns. It may harm their quality of life. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the emotional, sentimental, and psychological aspects of these mothers in rehabilitation programs.
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