Objective:

To explore factors, manifestations, and consequences related to the stress perceived by Mexican mothers of children with special needs in Veracruz, Mexico.

Methods:

This is a qualitative study with a focalized ethnographic design. The sample (n=20) was constituted by healthcare providing mothers of the state of Veracruz, Mexico. The participation requirement was being the main tutor of a dependent child. Data were collected in four discussion groups of 5 healthcare providing mothers each. The discussions were recorded and the data were transcribed. The information was produced through a thematic analysis using the QUIRKOS program.

Results:

The average age of these mothers was 36.95 years old (SD= ±7.66). The topics arising from the analysis were: a) the economical situation of the family; b) the behavior of the children; c) the lack of information regarding the child’s diagnosis; and d) the marital problems. All these categories were important sources of the stress perceived by these healthcare providers.

Discussion and Conclusions:

It is clear that the role and the responsibility of healthcare mothers is very demanding, provoking diverse physical, mental, and emotional responses. The nursing professionals play an important role in the design of health interventions which can favor the reduction of the perceived stress causing factors and thus the reduction of their associated impacts.