• J Olson and S Esdaile.
• Occupational Therapy Program, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti 48197, USA. judy.olson@emich.edu
• Am J Occup Ther. 2000 May 1;54(3):307-14.

ObjectiveThis study examined the occupations of mothering very young children with physical disabilities.MethodTwo single, urban, Black mothers in their mid-20s were interviewed with a semistructured protocol. The audiotaped, transcribed data were analyzed with a phenomenological method.ResultsThe context of the challenging urban environment was a constant influence that shaped the participants' occupations of mothering. The major over-arching theme derived from the data was that mothering was "what I got to do" in relation to their particular child. Two sub-themes were identified: (a) mothering as caring and (b) the impact of social supports on the occupations of mothering.ConclusionTo plan meaningful, effective interventions, occupational therapy practitioners need to understand the context in which mothering occupations occur and to ensure that mothers' caring occupations and social support needs are addressed in the therapeutic partnership.

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