Parents' meaning-making about having a child with significant disabilities in Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, uptake of early intervention and rehabilitation services for children with disabilities by families has been limited. Understanding the reasons why parents of children with disabilities do not access or may be hesitant to engage in such services is essential for informing the design and delivery of services, as well as raising public awareness and educating people about their benefits. This study aimed to explore the subjective meaning parents ascribe to having a child with significant disabilities in Bangladesh.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 mothers and 12 fathers using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Data were analysed using a 5-step process.

Under the theme of meaning-making, three sub-themes were revealed: meaning-making through traditional beliefs, using faith, and integrating Western medical understanding. The findings emphasised that traditional cultural and spiritual beliefs regarding disability strongly influence parenting children with significant disabilities in Bangladesh. These views are reinforced and mediated through the extended family and community, impacting the parents' well-being and relationships with their children.

The study highlights the need for an ecological multisystemic approach to facilitating access to rehabilitation and early intervention services for children with significant disabilities in Bangladesh.