This thesis aimed to examine peer support experiences of parents who are physically handicapped in supporting parenthood. The purpose of this thesis was to provide information on the demand, meaning and development of peer support for parents with disabilities for the SAMAT operations. The thesis was completed in cooperation with the SAMAT operations of the association Kynnys ry. The purpose of the SAMAT operations is to offer wide-ranging guidance, advice and peer support for parents with disabilities or chronic diseases in family and sexual health matters. The central concepts in the context of this thesis are parenthood, peer support and physical disability.

The research questions of this thesis examined the physically disabled parents’ need for peer support as well as the implications and development of peer support. Thematic interview was the primary method used in this study. Therefore, the material used in this piece of research consisted of five thematic interviews. The target group of this thesis consisted of parents of families with at least one parent with a physical disability. All the interviewees have children under the age of seven. The transcribed material was analyzed by material based content analysis.

The results showed that peer support is important for meeting other adults. In the interviews, peer support was also seen to have an essential role in sharing concerns and anxieties regarding children, sharing and receiving advice and developing self-esteem. Additionally, peer support was found to be considerably important for the parents with regards to developing self-esteem and allowing them to cope with the feelings of parenthood. The parents in the circle of peer support also reported having made new friends due to peer support. Furthermore, knowing that peer support exists, contributed to parents feeling secure. Availability of information concerning peer support emerged as the main target for development. Finding new peer support participants is highly requested yet challenging to achieve. Peer support was considered to be somewhat difficult to find by some. Occasionally, the other services available were not considered to meet the actual needs of the parents. However, the peer support offered by SAMAT was considered to be sufficient in quantity. The forms of SAMAT peer support were also viewed as functional.

In conclusion, peer support can be regarded as necessary for sharing advice, receiving information and sharing and processing one’s feelings. Peer support can also be considered meaningful from the perspective of social support. Additionally, peer support was found to be important from the viewpoint of partners and children as well. The experiences of family events were positive and participating in various activities offered partners and children peer support. To summarize, peer support was found to be considered valuable in all interviews.