Parenting in the Shadow of Enduring Health Conditions: Experiences of Parenting, Participation and Support

Parenting is a central occupation that may be disrupted by enduring health conditions, yet how parents experience the interaction between health, parenting demands and support systems remains underexplored. This study explored parents’ experiences living with an enduring health condition, focusing on participation, support needs and service access. Qualitative data were drawn from open-ended questions within a national cross-sectional e-survey of parents with enduring health conditions in Ireland. Responses from 218 participants were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Four themes were identified: impact on parenting roles, centrality of informal support networks, engagement with formal services and future service design. Parenting participation was influenced by fluctuating symptoms, environmental barriers and social expectations. Informal supports enabled participation but were often inconsistent, while formal services were frequently fragmented and difficult to access. Parenting is shaped by interacting health, environmental and systemic factors, highlighting the need for strengths-based, family-centred occupational therapy approaches.