Maternal Resolution and Religious Processing in Muslim Bedouin Mothers of Children with Special Needs

Abstract

This mixed methods research examined three interwoven strands: maternal resolution regarding a child’s special needs diagnosis; mothers’ positive versus negative religious processing; and cultural contextualization, with a focus on Bedouin society in Israel. Forty Bedouin mothers participated in semi-structured interviews that were coded in accordance with the Reaction to the Diagnosis Interview manual. The results underwent careful content analysis. The study combined categorical and qualitative research methods. Findings revealed mothers regarded God as either an empowering or a diminishing entity. Positive sub-themes included: acceptance of divine authority, faith, and privilege. Negative sub-themes included: submission to divine will, punishment, and divine test/trial. The categorical findings found 55 percent of mothers resolved with their child’s diagnosis and 45 percent unresolved. Resolved mothers referred to positive religious processing 20 times and negative religious processing four times. Unresolved mothers referred to positive religious processing 11 times and negative religious processing 13 times. Unresolved mothers exhibited inner conflict that emerged in their parental coping and religious processing, while resolved mothers tended to have a positive perception of religion and accept the challenges of raising children with special needs. The results underscore the need for culturally sensitive inquiry and spiritually informed interventions.