Care of children and youth with special healthcare needs: repercussions on rural mothers’ mental health
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12957/reuerj.2026.92962Keywords:
Nursing, Health Services Needs and Demand, Hospitals, Maternity, Mental Health, Rural AreasAbstract
Objective: to understand the repercussions of caring for children and youth with special healthcare needs on rural mothers’ mental health. Method: a qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory study was conducted through semi-structured interviews with 28 mothers linked to two Associação de Pais e Amigos dos Excepcionais in rural municipalities in the northwest of Rio Grande do Sul. Data were collected between August and September 2024 and subsequently subjected to Inductive Thematic Analysis. Results: challenges were identified from the moment of diagnosis disclosure, including experienced feelings, an exhausting routine, solo caregiving, and restricted access to support networks, as well as the physical and mental overload of these mothers. Final considerations: caring for children and youth with special healthcare needs leads to maternal psychological distress, marked by social isolation, fragility of support networks, and the near-exclusive responsibility placed on women. These findings highlight the need for intersectoral policies aimed at maternal mental health in rural contexts.
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