Work-life balance among parents of children with chronic health difficulties

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to shed light on the experiences faced by employed parents who have children with chronic health conditions. Due to such extraordinary circumstances, in some cases, one of the parents had to stop working to take care of the child’s needs. This study intends to identify the challenges that these parents face on a day-to-day basis in order to take care of their children. Moreover, it seeks to analyse whether family-friendly measures are available to all employees, and if so, their significance for working parents of children with a chronic illness.

Methodology: Due to the nature and objectives of this research, a qualitative approach was adopted. As a research tool, face-to-face interviews, using semi-structured questions were chosen to allow the researcher to gain a better understanding and knowledge about the topic and to discuss with the respondents in a more freely manner. Findings were examined using a thematic analysis approach as a tool to analyse data. This study was based on a cross-sectional research design, interviewing a number of parents of chronically ill children who are frequently hospitalized. The participants had to meet a set of criteria to be eligible for this research, which is fully explained in the methodology chapter that was established by the researcher.

Results: A total of five themes were extracted which brought to light a number of issues. These included the fear and uncertainty arising from the parents’ discovery that their child has a serious medical condition; the parents’ experience of being overwhelmed by the complex care needs generated by the medical condition; the dilemma that parents are faced with when making a decision whether to keep working or otherwise; the different strategies used by parents who stayed in employment; and the availability of support being a critical factor in enabling these parents to meet their responsibilities. Conclusion: Policymakers and other professionals must ensure that family-friendly measures are revised and improved, to be made available for employees employed both in the public sector and the private sector. It was noted that existing measures have an important role in assisting working parents, especially those who have children with a chronic health condition to find a work-life balance.