Mothers' Experiences Raising Children With Complex Care Needs in Rural Settings: A Qualitative Study

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Family Studies
• Rural Health

Background:

• Children with complex care needs (CCNs) present unique challenges for families.
• Maternal mental health and caregiver burnout are significant concerns, particularly in rural settings with limited resources.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the specific challenges encountered by mothers raising children with CCNs in a rural environment.
• To understand the impact of service accessibility and support systems on maternal well-being.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews with eight mothers of children with CCNs.
• Thematic analysis was used to interpret interview data.
• Recruitment occurred through a Community Social Pediatrics Centre in rural New Brunswick, Canada.

Main Results:

• Mothers reported significant difficulties in accessing necessary care and formal support services for their children.
• Lack of adequate support and the child's complex needs exacerbated the mothers' caregiving burden.
• These challenges negatively impacted mothers' mental health and contributed to feelings of burnout.

Conclusions:

• There is a critical need for targeted research and interventions to support mothers of children with CCNs in rural settings.
• Improving access to care and formal resources is essential to alleviate maternal burden and prevent caregiver burnout.
• Addressing the unique needs of this population is vital for enhancing family resilience and well-being.