Being a parent with a physical disability: A systematic review

There is a significant gap in the literature with regards to the synthesis of qualitative research that explores the parenting experiences of parents with physical disabilities. This systematic review aims to synthesize the evidence regarding the experiences of parents with acquired and congenital physical disabilities.

This article presents a thematic synthesis of qualitative research carried out in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Studies were identified through searches of Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases and backward snowballing. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme qualitative checklist was used as a quality assessment tool.

Eleven articles were included in this review, and all were deemed to be high quality. Seven themes were identified: stigmatization and the need to prove competence as a parent; feeling underrepresented as a parent with a physical disability; environmental limitations; experiences of accessing support; using skills and strategies to fulfill parenting role; children's roles and reactions, and changes as they grow; and safety, wellness, and health when parenting with a physical disability.

The findings emphasize the adaptability and resourcefulness of parents with physical disabilities in navigating environments that can be unsupportive, while continuing to prioritize their children's safety and well-being. The need for community peer-support groups and health care professionals who can provide emotional support, further public education with regards to the capabilities of parents with physical disabilities, prioritization of accessibility in public and private spaces, and the development of adapted childcare equipment, were all highlighted. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).