Vulnerabilities and Missed Chances: The Dynamics in the Relationship Between Parents of Disabled Children and Professionals in the Context of Chronic Sorrow

Summary The study explored how chronic sorrow in parents of disabled children impacts everyday interactions between parents and professionals in caregiving contexts. Chronic sorrow, characterized by ongoing feelings of grief and loss in parents, related to their child's disability, is increasingly recognized as having an influence on the relationship between professionals and parents. However, there is a lack of in-depth understanding of how chronic sorrow shapes dynamics in the parent–professional relationship. Through participatory action research, we explored the perspectives on chronic sorrow that parents and professionals brought into communication, ultimately leading to mutual understanding. Findings The study uncovered mutual misinterpretations and unrecognized vulnerabilities. Parents felt that their parental position and their history of previous losses with their children were not acknowledged. Conversely, professionals felt undervalued in their professional caretaking role. The analysis indicated that the professionals’ problem solving and action-oriented approaches hindered understanding and connection, preventing them from exploring what lies beneath the surface of the parents’ responses. Applications Professionals must consider the unique parental position and become more attuned to how chronic sorrow shapes parents’ reactions. The study's participatory approach can serve as an example of how to collectively explore parents’ and professionals’ perspectives on chronic sorrow and foster mutual understanding.