Personal needs of parents who raise children with blindness or visual impairment

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate parents’ profile, both at personal and familial levels, who live with and raise children with blindness or visual impairment. Twenty families participated in this study. Data were collected through semistructured interviews, while its analysis was based on qualitative methods focusing on terms of tracing categories and subcategories. The findings highlighted that the great number of parents’ responsibilities had a negative impact on their emotional state. This outcome may be reasonably attributed either to lack of effective management of their negative emotions or to recorded difficulties in obtaining all substantial information regarding their child’s life prospective well as in devoting too much effort to keep a balance in their family environment. In addition, parents underscored the vital role that professionals, friends, and unions play in their family cohesion and wellbeing. In conclusion, the results can add to the content of existing or future family support programs enriching them with even more constructive theoretical background from the field of counseling and inclusive practices.