Population Features of Visually Impaired Children and Their Parents Living in Hungary

[摘要] This exploratory research (2014–2019) was conducted among visually impaired children aged0–14 years and their parents. The paper focuses on the crucial features of the healthcare and pedagogical services provided for visually impaired children and analyses the situation of parents raising them. In order to explore the population characteristics of visually impaired children in Hungary, we relied on two major data sources: the census data of the Hungarian Central StatisticalOffice between 1990–2016, and the examination documents of the Corps of Pedagogical Servicesof Visually Impaired Children between 2009–2013. The research included data of 1,432 visuallyimpaired children. In order to survey the situation of these children’s parents, we conducted semistructured, individual interviews. We investigated the retrospective narratives of 39 mothers and29 fathers through narrative categorical content analysis and performed the situation analysis ofthe parents, using the model of game theory between humans and environment, whilst we also tookinto consideration the Hungarian and international methodological context for researching parentsraising visually impaired children. Results suggest that the population of visually impaired childrenis under transformation: visually impaired groups based on the classical interpretation of visualperformance are being replaced by new groups governed by needs. What the parents of such children seem to lack the most in the Hungarian care system are the opportunities for physical andmental relief. It would be vital to improve the situation of the parents concerned by more flexiblespecial education and social services that could support both single parents and couples to overcome their difficulties.

[学科分类] 基础医学

[关键词] visually impaired children;age-related prevalence of VI children in Hungary;parents raising VI children;protective and risk factors;narrative categorical content analysis