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Journals / Toplum ve Sosyal Hizmet / 2026 / Cilt: 37 Sayı: 3

Pregnancy and caregiving experiences of mothers with disabilities

Engelli annelerin gebelik ve bakım verme deneyimleri

Azime Altınova(SELÇUK ÜNİVERSİTESİ, SAĞLIK BİLİMLERİ ENSTİTÜSÜ)0000-0002-8370-6863
Doğa Başer(SELÇUK ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-7451-6590
Pages
949–968
Publication Date
2026-07-29
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

In conclusion, it is recommended that premarital and parenting education programs be adapted to address the needs of individuals with disabilities.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study aimed to explore the pregnancy and caregiving experiences of mothers with disabilities.
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Key Findings & Data:Designed as a descriptive qualitative study, this research involved interviews with 20 mothers with disabilities, conducted using a semi-structured interview form.
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Conclusion & Impact:In conclusion, it is recommended that premarital and parenting education programs be adapted to address the needs of individuals with disabilities.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Hamilelik · bakım · engelli annelik

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the pregnancy and caregiving experiences of mothers with disabilities. Designed as a descriptive qualitative study, this research involved interviews with 20 mothers with disabilities, conducted using a semi-structured interview form. The audio recordings of the in‐depth interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. As a result of the analysis, under the theme of support experienced by mothers with disabilities, the categories of spousal support and family support were identified, while under the theme of attitudes experienced by mothers with disabilities, the categories of concerns about the child’s possible disability, judgmental attitudes, and accepting attitudes were identified. Spousal and family support, anxiety about the possibility of having a child with a disability, and judgmental or accepting attitudes were found to influence pregnancy and caregiving processes. The spouses and families of mothers with disabilities generally demonstrated supportive behaviors during pregnancy and childcare. While the possibility of having a child with a disability constituted a source of anxiety for mothers and their families, it also functioned as a societal narrative that placed pressure on mothers. When society refrains from judging the pregnancy and caregiving processes of mothers with disabilities, these mothers tend to question this nonjudgmental stance. In conclusion, it is recommended that premarital and parenting education programs be adapted to address the needs of individuals with disabilities. Additionally, expanding home care and home health services and increasing media representation of mothers with disabilities are recommended. This study contributes to understanding disability experiences in motherhood and supports the development of rights-based services for women with disabilities.

Özet

Bu araştırmada engelli annelerin gebelik ve bakım verme deneyimlerini keşfetmek amaçlanmıştır. Betimleyici nitel bir çalışma olarak tasarlanan bu araştırmada, yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu kullanılarak 20 engelli anne ile görüşmeler gerçekleştirilmiştir. Derinlemesine görüşmelerin ses kayıtları yazıya dökülmüş ve tematik analiz kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Analiz sonucunda engelli annelerin deneyimlediği destekler temasında eş desteği ve aile desteği kategorilerine, engelli annelerin deneyimlediği tutumlar temasında ise çocuğun olası engelliliğine ilişkin kaygılar, yargılayıcı tutumlar ve kabul edici tutumlar kategorilerine ulaşılmıştır. Eş ve aile desteği, çocuğun engelli olması kaygısı, yargılayıcı ve kabul edici tutumlar gebelik ve bakım sürecini etkilemektedir. Engelli annelerin eşleri ve aileleri gebelik ve bakım sürecinde engelli annelere destekleyici davranışlarda bulunmuşlardır. Gebelik sürecinde çocuğun da engelli olması olasılığı engelli anne ve aileler için bir kaygı unsuru olmakla birlikte toplum açısından da anneler için bir baskı anlatısı oluşturmuştur. Toplum engelli annelerin gebelik ve bakım süreçlerini yargılamadığında engelli anneler toplumun bu tutumunu sorgulamaktadır. Sonuç olarak evlilik öncesi eğitim ve ebeveynlik eğitim programlarının, engelli bireylerin ihtiyaçları dikkate alınarak uyarlanması önerilmektedir. Ayrıca engelli annelere yönelik evde bakım ve evde sağlık hizmetlerinin yaygınlaştırılması, medyada engelli annelerin hikâyelerine yer verilmesi önerilmektedir. Bu çalışma engelli kadınların haklarını ön plana çıkarmak ve engelli kadınlara yönelik hizmetler geliştirmek için bir kadının annelik sürecindeki engellilik deneyimini anlamaya katkı sağlayacaktır.

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Cite This Article

Altınova, A., Başer, D. (2026). Pregnancy and caregiving experiences of mothers with disabilities. Toplum ve Sosyal Hizmet, Cilt: 37 Sayı: 3, 949–968. https://doi.org/10.33417/tsh.1871554

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