Introduction/Rationale: Parenting occupations are numerous and varied, especially with a child with a disability (CWD). The sociocultural context of the parent and child adds increased complexity, particularly when living in a low- and middle-income country (LMIC) where stigma and discrimination, poverty, access to health care, and lack of rehabilitation support contribute to caregiver burden, limiting successful engagement in parenting occupations.
Objectives: This study was part of an overall program evaluation of Kusamala+, a community-based intervention in the low-income compound of Kabwe, Zambia. This poster describes the outcome of photo-elicitation interviews to answer the question: How did Kusamala+ participation affect or change your ability to parent your CWD?
Methods/Approach: A participant-driven photo-elicitation design, where participants captured their choice of photographs, was utilized. Ten women, who provided primary care for their CWD and had participated in the Kusamala+ intervention in Kabwe engaged in the study. Data analysis included qualitative coding of the individual interviews triangulated with participant photos.
Results/Practice Implications: Preliminary data analysis reveals key themes around increased capacity to care for their CWD’s unique needs, empowerment in advocating for their child’s inclusion in the community, and increased maternal well-being and engagement in parenting occupations.
Conclusion/Significance to the Occupational Therapy Profession: This study adds to the limited body of knowledge around the understanding of parenting occupations with a CWD in the context of a LMIC. It highlights the unique perspective that occupational therapy can bring to a team when creating community-based interventions in underrepresented communities.