Introduction: The chronic complex conditions include one or more conditions that require continuous and specific care. Normally mothers are primary caregivers, and they face significant challenges in their daily lives, which may be exacerbated by social vulnerability, impacting their mental and physical health as well as occupational participation.
Objectives: This study aims to understand how social vulnerability affects the care provided to children and what kind of challenges are experienced by caregiver’s mothers.
Methods: This is a predominant qualitative study, descriptive-exploratory, realized with caregivers of children attended in a rehabilitation physical center in Brazil. The data was collected by a social economic questionnaire, qualitative interview, and field diary.
Results: The mothers reported financial difficulties, social isolation, and barriers to access health services and institutional support. Physical and mental overload gets worse because of the absence of support networks and the necessity to reconcile care and other responsibilities. All families in this study were identified as socially vulnerable, often leading to withdrawal from meaningful occupations such as work, leisure, and social participation. Consequently, social vulnerability intensifies occupational disruptions and negatively impacts quality of life. Conclusion: Occupational therapists play a fundamental role in supporting mothers by promoting strategies to balance their occupations. Intersectoral interventions and public policies are essential to ensure comprehensive care for these families, ensuring that attention is directed not only to the children but also to the mothers, who experience numerous occupational disruptions due to caregiving responsibilities, further aggravated by social vulnerability.