The Lived Experiences of Parents of Iranian Young Women with Multiple Sclerosis
Abstract Background: Chronic illness in children causes more mental health risks for parents than other members of the family. Therefore, exploring the experiences of parents living with young women who have multiple sclerosis and presenting them to healthcare planners and managers can have a positive impact on community health. This study aimed to explore the experiences of parents of young women with multiple sclerosis in Iran. Methods: This research was a phenomenological study, and sampling was continued until data saturation, and 12 participants were chosen. The data were gathered using semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi's method. Results: Open coding resulted in 450 codes, and after several stages of analysis and integration of similar codes, five main concepts, and 21 sub-concepts was produced. The main concepts included distress, trapping, adaptation barriers, response to illness, and reconciliation with the disease. Conclusion: This study showed the disease affects all dimensions of the parents' life and can lead to the experiences that are new to them and may lead to confusion. These findings can lead to more effective parental care for their daughters. It can also reduce the burden of disease on the family, the health system, and the community.