Work

Service providers' perceptions of families caring for children with disabilities in resource-poor settings in South Africa

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Caring for children with disabilities (CWD) is a challenging task for families and service providers alike. Even though previous research has explored experiences and perceptions of families who care for CWD, research focusing on service providers' perceptions of such families is limited. Through the lens of a care framework, the present study aims to explore service providers' perceptions of families caring for CWD in resource-poor settings in South Africa. Key informant interviews were conducted with managers of 10 organizations supported by the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund. An inductive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings revealed that family structure, poverty, service inaccessibility, negative beliefs, and stigma by community members, in addition to parental substance abuse, influenced how families care for CWD in resource-poor settings in South Africa. These findings have implications for policy amendments regarding the care dependency grant (CDG) to ensure that it benefits all CWD and not only those who need full-time care and services.

Source: Human Science Research Council SA

DOI: 10.14749/32378766

Author: Human Sciences Research Council

Language: English

Topic: Family and Disability Support Research

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Good health and well-being, No poverty

Open Access status: green

Funder: Human Sciences Research Council

OpenAlex ID: W7162207328

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