Motivation in caregiving among mothers of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Iran: A qualitative study

The motivation of caregivers plays a crucial role in the treatment, follow-up, and care of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Previous studies have focused on the older people and end-stage diseases, while giving less attention to the motivation of mothers caring for children with special needs. This study aimed to explore the motivations of mothers caring for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Iran.

This study employed a qualitative approach, guided by the Self-Determination Theory. Purposeful sampling was initially used, followed by theoretical sampling until data saturation was achieved. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 26 mothers of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Mayring’s seven-step directed content analysis approach was utilized for coding and categorization. The research adhered to ethical standards and ensured data trustworthiness through credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability measures.

The findings revealed that mothers’ caregiving motivations could be classified into four main categories: (I) intrinsic, (II) identified-extrinsic, (III) introjected-extrinsic, and (IV) external-extrinsic. Additionally, twelve sub-categories were identified within these four main categories.

The findings revealed that mothers demonstrated varying levels of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations in caring for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. By recognizing and enhancing the diverse sources of motivation, healthcare providers and policymakers can better support mothers in their caregiving roles, ultimately contributing to improved outcomes for both the mothers and their children.