Jana Oskam

Citation

Thesis Title
One parent’s advice to another: An exploration of self-care for parents of children with high-need disabilities and the development of a psychoeducational resource

Receiving a childhood disability diagnosis can be a life-changing event for families. Current societal structures in New Zealand require parents to assume informal caregiving roles when they have a child with special needs. Although evidence suggests self-care may act as a mediator against caregiver stress, few studies have approached informal caregiving from a health-promotion perspective. Ms Oskam completed two studies to first explore the experience of self-care for parents of children with high-need disabilities, and then to develop and evaluate a psychoeducational resource aimed at enhancing parents’ self-care. Ms Oskam’s research has provided valuable insights into parents’ use of self-care strategies to mitigate caregiver stress and improve wellbeing. Further, her research resulted in a practical self-care resource for parents to help in their journey as informal caregivers.

Supervisors
Professor Kirsty Ross
Associate Professor Don Baken