Abstract

Background & objectives: β-Thalassemia major is a disorder characterized by defective production of hemoglobin and excessive destruction of red blood cells. Having a child with thalassemia impacts all aspects of parents’ life consisting work, psychosocial life and family and social relationships and all aspects of their life would be affected if they have not enough support. This study was conducted to explore experiences of support in parents of children with thalassemia. 

Methods: The research has done with phenomenology and data collected using deep interviews. Then data analyzed using Colaizzi method. Twelve parents of children with thalassemia were selected by purpose-based approach to sampling. The participants of this study were the parents of children with thalassemia in BuAli Hospital (Ardabil) at 2013.

Results: Lack of support was the main concept found and consisted of helplessness, economical problems and stigma as subthemes.

Conclusion: The results of this research indicated that these parents experience a wide range of problems such as helplessness and stigma, which recommend need to adequate emotional, psychological and social support of these parents to have healthy community.

Keywords: Life Experiences, Thalassemia, Parents, Phenomenology, Chronic Illness.