Abstract:

Cerebral palsy (CP) presents ongoing emotional, practical, and organizational demands for families, making it essential to understand how parents themselves interpret their everyday experiences. This qualitative study explores how Greek parents raising a child with CP describe daily family life, emotional experiences, and caregiving practices. The sample consisted of 60 biological parents living in nuclear families. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis. The findings show that 72% of parents described strong emotional closeness and a sense of unity within the family, while 65% emphasized shared decision-making in everyday matters, including the child’s participation when possible. Emotional fatigue and uncertainty about long-term outcomes were reported by 48% of participants, and half highlighted the need for continuous organization and flexible role adjustment in daily routines. Support from extended family networks was considered important by 58%, and 46% referred to moments of pride, joy, and satisfaction connected to the child’s progress. Overall, the study illustrates the emotionally rich, complex, and adaptive nature of family life in households raising a child with CP and underscores the importance of family-centered approaches in psychosocial and educational support.

Keywords:

Cerebral palsy, parents, qualitative research, caregiving, Greece.