Play is a major occupation that contributes to child development and quality of life. The purpose of this study was to examine how caregiver anxiety impacts play with children with disabilities. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, researchers conducted interviews with four mothers of children with either Autism Spectrum Disorder or Down syndrome to gain information on their lived personal experiences regarding play with their child. All caregivers had scores at or above mild anxiety on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 questionnaire. After analyzing transcripts of the interviews, researchers found three major themes: finding joy in play, causes of anxiety, and the impact of anxiety on play. Caregivers reported feelings of joy and happiness during play with their child when they created a unique bond and discovered satisfaction and empowerment in their play. However, common causes of anxiety were lack of time, delayed achievement of developmental milestones, and feelings of playing wrong with their child. Caregivers described the effects of their anxiety on play as difficulties with balancing play with personal responsibilities and making play seem purposeful or educational. Clinicians should emphasize interventions aimed at decreasing the anxiety of caregivers to improve overall experiences of play for both the caregiver and the child.

Creator

• Hodson, Ellen

• Henderson, Kailan

• James, Kaitlynne

• Elliott, Sydney

• Julian, Megan

• Sauder, Raquel

Contributors

• Polo, Katie

Publisher

• University of Indianapolis

Language

• en

Identifier

• Final Paper.Nichols12.12.19.pdf

Keyword

• Occupational Therapy

Date created

• 12/13/2019

Resource type

• Dissertation

Source

• S23

Rights statement

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/