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Psychosocial experiencing of children at children´s home
WITZANYOVÁ, Aneta
Placement in a children's home constitutes an immense change of a child's life as the child has known it so far; this is certainly reflected in the child's experience and evaluation of life. Life at a children's home affects mental and social aspects of children's experience, in certain cases favourably and in other cases adversely. Reasons for that can be found in previous experience from own families and the ability to adapt to the new environment. One of the objectives of the present thesis is to point out specifics of children's experience in children's homes at the very least in connection with any trauma experienced. This diploma thesis pursues several objectives. The pivotal objective is to raise awareness of and popularize the aforementioned theme and to carry out research into what kind of complaints children might have as regards children's homes and, on the contrary, what factors reinforce their competences. The research was performed with the aim of helping children's homes focus on improving conditions for better development and psyche of the children who live there. Another objective of the research was to explore the relationship between children and their carers, and to determine their future plans with respect to their past when it comes to life goals and family life. The theoretical part of the thesis is concerned with the family, institutional upbringing system and defines a children's home. In addition, the theoretical part reflects upon causes for placing children in a children's home, risks of institutional upbringing as well as the problem of mental deprivation and personality of a child or an adolescent. The following chapters analyse the role of male and female carers and psychosocial experience of children in children's homes. The empirical part of the thesis is engaged in the research per se, summarization and presentation of data acquired and, last but not least, determination of replies to research questions. The research was carried out on the basis of a qualitative survey using the technique of anchored theory, by means of three-level coding and determination of anchored statements. Data were processed in the software programme ATLAS.ti, where graphic outputs were generated in order to supplement every category and subcategory in the empirical part of the thesis. The analysis and interpretation of the data acquired revealed that despite the fact that children express certain dissatisfaction with the schedule that they have to keep in children's homes, they complain of certain aspects and their past experience has an impact on them, their life in children's homes is not entirely stressful, subject to exceptions, and most of them are relatively happy. In spite of this, conditions in children's homes might and must be improved, which fact constitutes a challenge especially for staff of children's homes. Another outcome of the research showed that relationships between children and carers are mostly good and rely on mutual trust, despite occasional disagreements. The research also delved into future goals and ambitions of children in children's homes, which concern changes in their future family life, leading to solid relationships between them and their own children and enabling them to care of their children in a due form. From the perspective of other goals, children want their dreams to come true, complete their education, settle down, be happy and lead a "normal" life. This diploma thesis could contribute to spreading awareness of and popularizing the theme of psychosocial experience of children in children's home. Furthermore, with respect to its results, the thesis might serve as instructional material for staff in children's homes to identify areas of improvement or risk areas and to learn what it is that makes children happy. Performed on the state-wide level, the extent of the research is very wide-ranging and is based on real responses of children from children's homes.
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Lifestyle of mothers of disabled persons whose disability originated in perinatal period
WITZANYOVÁ, Aneta
The birth of a child is always a big change in the family. However, the birth of a child who has specific needs means in most cases a big change for the mother and a completely new arrangement of her future life. Differences in lifestyle have their positive but also negative sides. The aim of this bachleor´s thesis is to open this social theme which might sometimes be a taboo. This thesis is focusing on several aims. The main goal is to raise public awareness of people with disabilities and point out that mothers of disabled children are extraordinarily strong personalities. They do not have an easy life, nevertheless they do not want to feel pitied, to see sympathetic glances of the others, or to be laughed at. Another aim is to find out what the lifestyle of mothers of disabled children is like, how it is changed and to identify possible threats of social isolation. With regard to social isolation, I would like to discuss the possible impact of place of residence on the lifestyle of the mothers. The theoretical part of my thesis focuses on the family, disability and mainly on the role of the disabled child's mother. Here are also mentioned other important themes like social isolation, burnout syndrome, social support and aid which are closely related to this topic. The empirical part of my thesis deals with the research itself, summary and presentation of gained pieces of information. Last but not least this part focuses on giving answers to research questions. The research was conducted as a qualitative investigation on a principle of the grounded theory technique with the support of three-stage coding and setting of grounded statements. The data were processed in the software programme ATLAS.ti where the graphical outputs were also made. These put the final touches to each category of the empirical part of my thesis. Based on the analysis and interpretation of the gained data I have come to a conclusion that the lifestyle of mothers has changed a lot in many areas after the birth of a disabled child. For example in the area of family and working life, or in the personal area we can see the change of personality and the scale of values which are the most frequent reactions to the disability of a child. It was also found out that the main influence of the place of residence on a lifestyle is in the access to services. Living in the countryside or in a small town is usually very limiting for the mother of a disabled child, mainly in terms of accessibility of services and transportation. Nevertheless, these changes and facts in most cases do not lead to a negative perception of life with a disabled child. The research has proved that mothers of disabled children live different, but not poor-quality lives. This thesis could be beneficial for further public education to raise awareness of the fact that mothers of children with disabilities are incredibly strong people. In spite of the difficulties they often perceive their lives as "normal" and common. The thesis could be also beneficial for mothers who have just delivered a disabled child and they have to cope with the situation. The empirical part of this thesis could be used to support the possibility of living a high-quality life despite the disability of the child.
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