Concerns and Tolerance Strategies Among Parents with Children Suffering from Down Syndrome in Mashhad, Iran: A Phenomenological Study

Down syndrome is one of the chromosomal disorders known as the most common genetic disorder causing health and medical problems such as mental, respiratory and cardiovascular problems. Parents of children with Down syndrome experience many problems and challenges in life. The purpose of this research was to find the concerns and tolerance strategies of parents of children suffering from Down syndrome.

This study was carried out in 2022-23 with a Colaizzi`s phenomenological approach. The research population was the parents of children with Down syndrome in Mashhad, Iran under coverage of the Welfare Organization, the sample being selected by purposeful sampling; after conducting 13 interviews, the researcher reached theoretical data saturation.

Analysis of data revealed 4 main themes and 12 sub-themes in the section of parents' concerns and 3 main themes and 6 sub-themes in the section of tolerance strategies among the parents of children with Down syndrome.

Based on the findings of this study it can be concluded that the parents of children with Down syndrome have many concerns about the family life, the future of their children and their treatment process, as well as social problems. In addition, the parents who use spiritual tolerance strategies can deal better with the problems arising from living with their child.