BACKGROUND: In our varied roles as health care professionals and researchers, many women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have commented to us about their feelings of inability to cope with everyday tasks, especially within their role as mothers. AIMS: This study explored the health and life experiences of mothers with RA in order to increase knowledge about this group of women and inform health care professionals who provide them with support before and after becoming a mother. METHODS: A phenomenological approach was adopted, and individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews were carried out with a sample of seven women, aged 21-41 years, who had lived with RA for 3-11 years and had one or more children under five years of age (total range of ages being 1-7 years). The data were analysed using Colaizzi's procedural steps. RESULTS: The five major themes that emerged were inner strength, depression, labelling, failure, and pre- and post-natal education. Sub-themes included issues such as putting on a brave face, spirituality, guilt, burden, feeling 'robbed of motherhood', isolation, coping methods and lack of information. CONCLUSIONS: This in-depth study informs health care professionals for their role as support provider for mothers with RA. Further research needs to be carried out to include multicultural experiences, which may or may not differ. As a step forward, we have implemented a local support group for mothers with RA, which will hopefully add benefit to existing rheumatology, midwifery and health visiting services.
BACKGROUND: In our varied roles as health care professionals and researchers, many women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have commented to us about their feelings of inability to cope with everyday tasks, especially within their role as mothers. AIMS: This study explored the health and life experiences of mothers with RA in order to increase knowledge about this group of women and inform health care professionals who provide them with support before and after becoming a mother. METHODS: A phenomenological approach was adopted, and individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews were carried out with a sample of seven women, aged 21-41 years, who had lived with RA for 3-11 years and had one or more children under five years of age (total range of ages being 1-7 years). The data were analysed using Colaizzi's procedural steps. RESULTS: The five major themes that emerged were inner strength, depression, labelling, failure, and pre- and post-natal education. Sub-themes included issues such as putting on a brave face, spirituality, guilt, burden, feeling 'robbed of motherhood', isolation, coping methods and lack of information. CONCLUSIONS: This in-depth study informs health care professionals for their role as support provider for mothers with RA. Further research needs to be carried out to include multicultural experiences, which may or may not differ. As a step forward, we have implemented a local support group for mothers with RA, which will hopefully add benefit to existing rheumatology, midwifery and health visiting services.
Authors: Kieran Murray; Louise Moore; Celine O'Brien; Anne Clohessy; Caroline Brophy; Oliver FitzGerald; Eamonn S Molloy; Anne-Barbara Mongey; Shane Higgins; Mary F Higgins; Patricia Minnock; Joan Lalor; Fionnuala M McAuliffe; Douglas James Veale Journal: Ir J Med Sci Date: 2019-05-25 Impact factor: 1.568
Authors: J Patermann; I Ehlebracht-König; G Lind-Albrecht; E Genth; A Reusch; R Küffner; U Müller-Ladner; J Braun Journal: Z Rheumatol Date: 2016-03 Impact factor: 1.372
Authors: Helena Lööf; Unn-Britt Johansson; Elisabet W Henriksson; Staffan Lindblad; Jennifer Bullington Journal: Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being Date: 2014-10-31
Authors: Nevena Rebić; Ria Garg; Ursula Ellis; Vanessa Kitchin; Sarah Munro; Glen Hazlewood; Neda Amiri; Nick Bansback; Mary A De Vera Journal: Arthritis Res Ther Date: 2021-04-21 Impact factor: 5.156