Affiliations: [a] School of Health Sciences, University of Brighton, Eastbourne, UK | [b] School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Environmental & Life Sciences (FELS), University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton, UK
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Tara Sims, School of Health Sciences, University of Brighton, 49 Darley Road, Eastbourne, BN20 7UR, UK. Tel.: +44 1273 624828; E-mail: T.Sims@brighton.ac.uk.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The impact of paediatric upper limb difference may extend beyond the child themselves to their parents and other family members. Previous research has found that feelings of shock, numbness and loss are common amongst parents and that peer support can be a buffer against stress. OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to explore the experiences of parents of children with limb difference, and the role of services and prosthetic devices in these experiences. METHODS: Nine parents of children with limb difference participated in either a group (n= 2) or individual (n= 7) interview. RESULTS: Analysis of the interview transcripts revealed four themes – ‘grief and guilt’, ‘prosthesis as a tool for parental adjustment’, ‘support’ and ‘fun and humour’. CONCLUSIONS: Parents may employ coping strategies to help them adjust to their child’s limb difference, including use of a prosthesis, accessing support from statutory services and peers, and use of fun and humour within the family.
Keywords: Upper limb prosthetics, paediatric prosthetics, parental experiences, qualitative research
