Lived Experiences of Burnout among Mothers of Children with ADHD: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study in Pakistan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52053/jpap.v7i1.473Keywords:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Mothers, Pakistan, Parental Burnout, Qualitative ResearchAbstract
The unique challenges of raising a child with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can cause serious psychological distress for caregivers, particularly mothers. The lived experiences of burnout among Pakistani mothers of children with ADHD were investigated in this study. Ten mothers were selected through purposive sampling from a Lahore clinic using a qualitative phenomenological design. Data analysis was done using a thematic approach, and semi-structured interviews were carried out. Chronic emotional and mental exhaustion, strained mother-child relationships, social judgment and experiential isolation, internalized self-blame and guilt, coping, resilience, and the need for support were the five main themes that emerged. Mothers reported experiencing extreme emotional exhaustion, strained family ties, and cultural stigma that made them feel even more alone and guilty. Participants showed resilience in the face of these difficulties and indicated a desire to seek out peer networks and psychological support. The results emphasize the need for family-centered, culturally sensitive interventions and policy changes to assist mothers of children with ADHD. This study adds to the scant literature on parental burnout in South Asian settings.
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