A qualitative systematic review and meta-synthesis has mapped the complex lived experiences of self-care among mothers caring for neurodivergent children, characterizing self-care as a dynamic progression from severe depletion toward sustained agency. The research, published in BMC Women’s Health, brought together qualitative investigations across multiple countries to evaluate how mothers navigate personal well-being alongside demanding caregiving duties. By systematically pooling qualitative accounts, the authors analyzed how persistent caregiving burdens interact with personal motivations, external barriers, and adaptive practices in diverse family settings.
The study specifically examined the caregiving context surrounding neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). As noted in the investigation, mothers supporting children with these conditions frequently experience substantial caregiving burdens that can compromise their physical, psychological, and social well-being. Although the detrimental impacts of chronic caregiving stress have been widely documented across clinical literature, qualitative insights into how these mothers understand and practice self-care have remained fragmented and underexplored across different cultural contexts.
To address this empirical gap, the investigators formulated a systematic synthesis focusing on four core dimensions: the underlying motivations prompting self-care, the barriers that hinder it, the specific strategies adopted by mothers, and the perceived impacts of these practices. By focusing on lived maternal experiences, the authors aimed to provide an evidence base that clarifies how self-care functions not merely as occasional leisure, but as a critical mechanism for preserving personal health and sustaining long-term caregiving capacity.
The methodological framework involved comprehensive electronic literature searches across PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, Embase, and PsycINFO, spanning all indexed records from database inception through May 2026. Two independent reviewers conducted study screening and extracted pertinent narrative data. Methodological quality across candidate papers was systematically evaluated using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) Qualitative Checklist, ensuring that each incorporated source adhered to recognized standards for qualitative rigor.
The review adhered to the PRISMA 2020 reporting standards and the ENTREQ guidelines for qualitative synthesis. Analytical themes were derived using the thematic synthesis approach established by Thomas and Harden (2008). From an initial pool of 1,847 records identified during the database searches, exactly 7 qualitative studies conducted across six distinct countries fulfilled all inclusion criteria and were incorporated into the final analytical synthesis.
Analysis of the seven included studies yielded one central overarching theme and five distinct analytical themes. The first analytical theme, Intense Caregiving Burden and Progressive Depletion, captured the cumulative physical and psychological exhaustion experienced by mothers. The second theme, Intrinsic and Spiritual Motivations for Self-Care, highlighted internal values and spiritual perspectives that encourage mothers to seek restoration. In contrast, the third theme, Multifaceted Barriers to Self-Care, detailed the logistical, emotional, and social obstacles that impede personal care practices.
The synthesis further identified Adaptive Strategies and Practices as a fourth theme, delineating the practical methods mothers develop to carve out space and time for self-preservation amid demanding routines. The fifth analytical theme, Perceived Impacts and Personal Growth, documented positive outcomes associated with self-care, including psychological resilience and renewed maternal well-being. Together, these themes demonstrated that maternal self-care operates as an evolving journey from vulnerability to empowerment, deeply shaped by cultural values and spiritual frameworks.
The authors concluded that self-care among mothers of neurodivergent children is a multifaceted, culturally embedded process essential both for personal health and for maintaining ongoing caregiving obligations. Based on these synthesized findings, the research highlights a pressing need for culturally sensitive, strength-based interventions designed to dismantle systemic barriers while supporting intrinsic motivations. The review emphasizes that future research should focus on evaluating tailored self-care support initiatives to verify their practical effectiveness across diverse community contexts.
Subject of Research: Qualitative meta-synthesis of self-care experiences among mothers of neurodivergent children
Article Title: Self-care experiences among mothers of neurodivergent children: a qualitative systematic review and meta-synthesis
Article References: Safarzadeh, S., Dolatian, M., Zare, E., Fathi, S., AlaviMajd, H., & Moayedi, A. R. (2026). Self-care experiences among mothers of neurodivergent children: a qualitative systematic review and meta-synthesis. BMC Women’s Health. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-026-05058-x
Image Credits: AI Generated
DOI: 10.1186/s12905-026-05058-x
Keywords: neurodivergent children, maternal self-care, qualitative systematic review, thematic meta-synthesis, caregiving burden, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD parenting, maternal well-being, caregiver depletion, CASP appraisal, PRISMA 2020, ENTREQ guidelines, adaptive coping strategies, spiritual motivations, sustained maternal agency, Thomas and Harden synthesis
