Maternal Gatekeeping Perceptions of Mothers of Children with Language Impairment: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the views of mothers who have children with language disorders regarding their perception of maternal gatekeeping. A qualitative case study design method was employed in the study. Participants were selected using the criterion sampling method. The criteria determined for the study were living in Ankara, having a child diagnosed with a language disorder and currently undergoing therapy. The “Semi-Structured Interview Form”, developed by the researchers, was used to determine the views of twenty mothers of children with language disorders regarding maternal gatekeeping. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with the mothers. The data were analyzed using the content analysis method.  The findings of this study identified the maternal behaviors that restrict, control, discourage, facilitate, and encourage child-father interaction. Important findings were obtained regarding strategies for increasing fathers' involvement in children's care and education processes. Based on these findings, it is recommended that further evidence-based research be conducted on father involvement in children with language disorders, awareness be raised about mothers' gatekeeping behaviors, families be trained on how to address this issue, and fathers be encouraged in their children's therapy, caregiving, and interactive play activities.

Keywords

• Maternal Gatekeeping
• Father’s Involvement
• Disorder
• Language

Dil Bozukluğu Çocuğu Olan Annelerin Anne Bekçiliği Algıları: Nitel Bir Çalışma

Abstract

Araştırmada dil bozukluğu olan çocuğa sahip annelerin anne bekçiliği algılarına ilişkin görüşlerinin saptanması amaçlanmıştır. Araştırmada nitel vaka inceleme yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Katılımcılar, ölçüt örnekleme yöntemi kullanılarak belirlenmiştir. Araştırmanın amacına yönelik belirlenen ölçütler; Ankara ilinde yaşıyor olma, dil bozukluğu tanısı almış ve terapi sürecine devam eden bir çocuğa sahip olma şeklindedir. Çalışmada araştırmacılar tarafından geliştirilen, dil bozukluğu olan çocuğa sahip 20 annenin anne bekçiliğine ilişkin görüşlerini belirlemeye yönelik “Yarı Yapılandırılmış Görüşme Formu” kullanılmıştır. Annelerle yüz yüze görüşmeler yapılmıştır. Veriler içerik analizi yöntemiyle analiz edilmiştir. Bu araştırmada, annelerin çocuk-baba etkileşimini kısıtlayan, kontrol eden, cesaret kıran, kolaylaştıran ve teşvik eden davranışları ortaya konmuştur. Babaların çocukların bakım ve eğitim süreçlerine katılımını artırmaya yönelik stratejilere ilişkin önemli bulgular elde edilmiştir. Bu araştırma sonuçlarına dayanarak, dil bozukluğu olan çocuklar ile baba katılımına yönelik kanıt temelli araştırmalar yapılması, annelerin anne bekçiliği davranışları konusunda farkındalıkların sağlanması ve bu noktada neler yapacağı konusunda ailelere eğitimlerin verilmesi ve babaların çocukların terapi süreci, bakımı ve etkileşimli oyun etkinlikleri konusunda teşvikinin sağlanması önerilmektedir.

Keywords

• Anne Bekçiliği
• Baba Katılımı
• Dil bozukluğu

Supporting Institution

Çalışmamız kapsamında herhangi bir finansal destek alınmamıştır.

Ethical Statement

Araştırma için İnsan Araştırmaları ve Eğitim Bilimleri Etik Kurulu’ndan etik kurul izni alındı ​​(Tarih: 30.05.2025, Protokol No: 07/19).

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