Abstract
Single young mothers living with children with severe intellectual disabilities often face considerable financial, physical, psychological, and emotional challenges, which may
lead to increased stress, poverty, and reduced life satisfaction. Many reported feeling
unsupported by partners and family members, making the management of daily life even more difficult. In South Africa, living with a child with severe intellectual disabilities
demands significant knowledge, access to education, proper healthcare services, financial assistance, and both physical and psychological support.
The objective of this study was to explore the experiences of single young mothers living
with a child with severe intellectual disabilities, to develop recommendations that enhance their quality of life and empower them to manage daily challenges more effectively. Furthermore, the study recommended establishing strategies to facilitate access to services for these mothers and further improve their overall well-being.
The study was conducted in Gauteng Province, specifically in Johannesburg North, Midrand, and Alexandra. Participants were single young mothers aged 18–35 who had
never married. Purposive sampling was employed, and eight semi-structured individual interviews were conducted. The research followed a qualitative exploratory descriptive design, and thematic analysis was applied to identify and report the findings.
Trustworthiness was ensured through the application of criteria including credibility, transferability, dependability, confirmability, and authenticity. Ethics focused on autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and informed consent. The findings are expected to benefit single young mothers in Gauteng. The results of the study revealed the following themes: ...