Experiences of social participation and inclusion among primary caregivers of children with cerebral palsy in China: a qualitative descriptive study.
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
- 2Hubei Institute of Neurology and Psychiatry, Wuhan, China.
- 3Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
- 4Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China. [email protected].
Abstract
Background
Primary caregivers of children with cerebral palsy (CP) may experience challenges affecting their social participation and inclusion. However, these experiences remain insufficiently understood in the Chinese context. Understanding these experiences is important for family-centred nursing and rehabilitation support.Methods
A qualitative descriptive study was conducted with 26 primary caregivers recruited from a tertiary rehabilitation hospital in China. Semi-structured interviews were conducted face-to-face, via WeChat video call, or by telephone. Data were analysed inductively using Braun and Clarke's six-phase approach to reflexive thematic analysis.Results
Four themes, each comprising two subthemes, were developed: (1) Emotional distress and withdrawal from social life; (2) Caregiving demands restricting opportunities for participation; (3) Role expectations narrowing social identities and everyday roles; and (4) Stigma and exclusion undermining belonging and acceptance.Conclusions
In this study, primary caregivers of children with CP described reduced social participation and limited inclusion associated with overlapping emotional, caregiving, role-related, and social influences.
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BibTeX
@article{liu2026experiences,
title = {{Experiences of social participation and inclusion among primary caregivers of children with cerebral palsy in China: a qualitative descriptive study.}},
author = {Hui Liu and Xiaojia Wu and Fang Wen and Lanxia Meng and Chunying Liu},
journal = {BMC nursing},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1186/s12912-026-05314-3},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42850614},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Experiences of social participation and inclusion among primary caregivers of children with cerebral palsy in China: a qualitative descriptive study.
AU - Hui Liu
AU - Xiaojia Wu
AU - Fang Wen
AU - Lanxia Meng
AU - Chunying Liu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/02
JO - BMC nursing
DO - 10.1186/s12912-026-05314-3
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42850614
AB - Background Primary caregivers of children with cerebral palsy (CP) may experience challenges affecting their social participation and inclusion. However, these experiences remain insufficiently understood in the Chinese context. Understanding these experiences is important for family-centred nursing and rehabilitation support.Methods A qualitative descriptive study was conducted with 26 primary caregivers recruited from a tertiary rehabilitation hospital in China. Semi-structured interviews were conducted face-to-face, via WeChat video call, or by telephone. Data were analysed inductively using Braun and Clarke's six-phase approach to reflexive thematic analysis.Results Four themes, each comprising two subthemes, were developed: (1) Emotional distress and withdrawal from social life; (2) Caregiving demands restricting opportunities for participation; (3) Role expectations narrowing social identities and everyday roles; and (4) Stigma and exclusion undermining belonging and acceptance.Conclusions In this study, primary caregivers of children with CP described reduced social participation and limited inclusion associated with overlapping emotional, caregiving, role-related, and social influences.
SN - 1472-6955
ER -