Parenting by mothers with intellectual disabilities in Poland: A photovoice study

Abstract

Background The diverse nature of parenting among people with intellectual disabilities can be affected by many factors, including stereotypes, experiencing social isolation, living in poverty, suffering from chronic diseases and limited access to health care. Because of these factors, people with intellectual disabilities are not readily viewed as potential parents by society. Method The research was conducted using the photovoice method, which analyses photographs taken by participants—seven mothers with intellectual disabilities (aged 22–43). Results Thematic analysis yielded six main areas: pregnancy and childbirth, household duties—everyday life, caring for children, the importance of motherhood for a woman, parenting problems and difficulties, and types and forms of assistance. Conclusion Raising a child has become a life goal for the interviewed women. However, there were also difficulties in their lives, which have not been solved by formal and informal support. Individual support for mothers should include tailor‐made sexual education, access to gynaecological care or long‐term family support.

Motherhood and intellectual disability in Spain: Experienced difficulties and shared desires for change

“…This lack of informal (and sometimes formal) support, the constant questioning of their ability to raise their children, and other barriers already mentioned, are some of the reasons why the mothers with disabilities have pointed out the need to make their experiences visible, to show (and demonstrate) their ability to raise their children. Among the reflections of the participating mothers, there is a central theme that crosses their experiences in the different spheres included in the results of this research (family, medical, social, work, and housing), which is social stigma, as other studies have also pointed out (Booth & Booth, 2005;Potvin et al, 2019;Wos & Baczała, 2021). This stigma results in them being forced to delegate decisions about their motherhood to others (Earle et al, 2015;Sheerin et al, 2013) and justifies interventionist discourses and practices over their bodies (Hamilton, 2012;Heifetz et al, 2019).…”

A systematic review of photovoice research methods with people with intellectual disabilities

“…More commonly researchers added opportunities for individual interviews about the photographs taken in combination with group discussions (Booth & Booth, 2003; Kim et al, 2021; Ollerton & Horsfall, 2013; Pallisera et al, 2016; Povee et al, 2014; Rinaldi, 2021; St. John et al, 2018; Watchman et al, 2020; Williamson et al, 2020) or substituted individual interviews for the group discussions usually employed in photovoice projects (Akkerman et al, 2014; Aldridge, 2007; Benoot et al, 2021; Dorozenko et al, 2015; Garrels & Sigstad, 2019; Jurkowski & Paul‐Ward, 2007; Krisson et al, 2021; Ottmann & Crosbie, 2013; Overmars‐Marx et al, 2018; Tajuria et al, 2017; Wass & Safari, 2020; Watchman et al, 2020; Weiss et al, 2017; Wos & Baczała, 2021). Frequently used questions were ‘what is in this photograph?’; ‘why did you take it?’; ‘how does this photograph make you feel?’.…”

“…Frequently used questions were ‘what is in this photograph?’; ‘why did you take it?’; ‘how does this photograph make you feel?’. Researchers justified this departure from the usual photovoice method by asserting that individual interviews allowed more sensitive issues to be discussed that might cause discomfort or embarrassment in group situations (Kim et al, 2021; Wos & Baczała, 2021), to explore personal issues and individual stories in more depth (Booth & Booth, 2003; Jurkowski & Paul‐Ward, 2007), facilitate reflection (Weiss et al, 2017) and minimise the influence of peers (Overmars‐Marx et al, 2018). Scheduling more than one interview can be helpful to ensure familiarity with the interviewer and build trust (Overmars‐Marx et al, 2018; Rinaldi, 2021).…”

“…In several studies an overall topic of health and wellness (Jurkowski & Paul‐Ward, 2007; St. John et al, 2018; Williamson et al, 2020), identity (Dorozenko et al, 2015; Povee et al, 2014), parenting (Wos & Baczała, 2021) or dementia (Watchman et al, 2020) was introduced by the researchers at the outset of the study and elaborated for participants in group discussions before participants started taking photos. Aldridge (2007) steered participants towards taking photographs of more positive aspects of their experience by asking them to take photographs of things they liked about their day projects, though others encouraged participants to look at both positive and negative aspects of their experience (Akkerman et al, 2014; Heffron et al, 2018; Jurkowski & Paul‐Ward, 2007; Overmars‐Marx et al, 2018; St. John et al, 2018).…”

Fathers with Intellectual Disabilities Talk about their Plans, Hopes, and Children’s Future. A Qualitative Research Report

“…Emerson et al, 2015). Furthermore, father's role in parenting is often limited, in favour of mothers and grandparents of children taking responsibility for the parenting process (Wos and Baczała, 2021;Ćwirynkało, 2021b). However, various studies indicate that a large number of parents, including fathers with ID, with adequate support and their own resources, successfully cope with difficulties they encounter (McConnell, Aunos, Pacheco, and Hahn, 2021), form long-term, stable relationships (Booth and Booth, 2002;Ćwirynkało, 2021a) as well as love and care for their children (Karpińska, 2019;Ćwirynkało, 2021b;Wołowicz, 2021).…”