Impact of intellectual disabilities of children on mental health of parents

Abstract

Parents of disabled children face unique challenges in their daily lives resulting in stress. This study was conducted focusing on the parents of children living with intellectual disability to evaluate the rate of anxiety and depression. This cross-sectional study included the parents of children who attend the Health and Wellness Physiotherapy Rehabilitation center and Physiotherapy rehabilitation center of NCS University. There were 290 parents who consented and participated in the study. The participants were given a questionnaire with pre-designed questions about the socio-demographic characteristics of the family. Furthermore, the Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) scale and State trait Anxiety Inventory were used to assess the level of depression and anxiety in our study population. Data was analyzed through Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS- version 22.0). Out of 290 participants, 179 (61.7%) were males and 111 (38.7%) were females. With respect to BDI the number of Mild Mood disturbance was reported in 20 (6.9%), borderline clinical depression in 50 (17.2%), moderate depression in 82 (28.3%), severe depression were 113 (39%) and extreme depression was seen in 25 (8.6%). Likewise, 21 (7.2%) participants denied any anxiety, 32 (11%) were in mild anxiety level, 114 (39.3%) were in somewhat anxiety level but 123 (42.4%) were in high anxiety level of state trail anxiety inventory scale. According to the study's findings, parents of disabled children were considerably affected by anxiety and depression.