Balancing Work and Family Life for Parents with Special Needs Children

Sheilla Lim, Omar Lim and Ross Azura, Zahit and Ida Juliana, Hutasuhut and Surena, Sabil (2023) Balancing Work and Family Life for Parents with Special Needs Children. In: 11th International Qualitative Research Conference (IQRC) 2023, 24-25 November 2023, DoubleTree by Hilton, Putrajaya Lakeside, Malaysia.

PDF IQRC 2023 E-Program Book.pdf Download (2MB)

Abstract

Past studies reported that working parents with special needs children are understudied and experience more challenges. They sought ways to prioritise family over work and avoid long hours, but they received limited support that helped them cope with responsibilities. No doubt, various family-friendly policies such as childcare assistance and parental leave were aggressively introduced by organisations but may not suit them due to intense care and more long-term minding needed than other parents. The objectives of this study are to explore: (1) these parents’ perceptions of work-life balance experiences and the issues and challenges in navigating their daily hassles to ensure a feasible work and family, and (2) identify the various influences of parental gender role on raising children with special needs and the social convoy that best support them in their relationships with coworkers, families, and communities. In this descriptive qualitative study, thematic analysis was conducted on data collected during semistructured, face-to-face interviews. Twelve (12) working parents of children with special needs in Sarawak were recruited using purposive sampling. The findings from the study show how working parents juggle their commitments to their families, careers, and self-care, and how parental gender role and social convoy affect their work-life balance. The findings also demonstrate that this group struggles with a myriad of work and non-work obligations while caring for themselves, parental gender roles, and the exact social convoy that they identify with and receive help from. The findings help to deeply understand the actions they take to overcome obstacles and cope in challenging and difficult situations. From a practical perspective, this study propels researchers to disseminate a comprehensive framework to practitioners as a form of direction in developing and improving work-family practices, and policies, and forming company laws in government and private organisations.

Actions (For repository members only: login required)

View Item