How do parents who live with chronic disease experience accessing formal parenting supports? A systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative research

To systematically identify and synthesise qualitative research relating to the perspectives of parents living with chronic conditions about accessing formal parenting supports.
MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Scopus, and CINAHL were searched from date of inception to September 2024. Qualitative studies of any design type, published in English and reporting on experiences of parents living with chronic disease when accessing, trying to access or self-reporting the need to access formal parenting supports were eligible. Qualitative meta-synthesis was utilised.
The initial search identified 30,169 records. Following title and abstract screening 25,356 records were excluded and 822 full texts reviewed. Of these, 18 texts focused on parents living with chronic disease were included in the final review. Three overarching themes were identified. These were (i) absence of support (ii) types of formal supports that are needed, and (iii) designing supports for parents.
Chronic disease has a significant impact on parents, however formal supports for parents living with chronic diseases remain limited. These parents have diverse formal support needs. Future research should focus on the development of integrated and responsive support systems to enhance the parenting capacity of parents living with chronic disease.

Professionals rarely acknowledge parenting roles when addressing chronic disease
Parents living with chronic disease would like practical help, education and emotional support to manage parenting tasks

Professionals rarely acknowledge parenting roles when addressing chronic disease
Parents living with chronic disease would like practical help, education and emotional support to manage parenting tasks