Quality of Life of Parents having Children with Developmental Disabilities.
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Date
2012-04
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Abstract
Background: There are known limitations in functioning of children with developmental
disabilities which result in requirements for long term care far exceeding the usual needs of
children as they develop, or the expectations of their families as a parent. Thus, while caregiving
is a normal part of being a parent, providing the high level of care required by a child with long
term functional limitations can become burdensome and may impact both physical and
psychological health of caregivers. Researches have hardly investigated the Quality of Life
(QoL) in family caregivers of children with developmental disorders as compared to normal
healthy children. Objectives: This study investigated QoL in family caregivers of children with
Mental Retardation (MR) and autism as compared to a control group (CG). Methods: The
sample consisted of 240 parents (40mothers and 40 fathers in each of the three groups) of 120
children having MR, autism and normal healthy children. Diagnostic assessments in children
were carried out using Seguine Form Board test, Vineland Social Maturity scale, Childhood
Autism rating scale. QOL of parents was assessed by the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire.
Results: Analysis using one way analysis of variance and post hoc analysis revealed that
compared with parents of healthy children, parents in the MR and autism group reported
impairment in all the four domains of QoL. Little differences were observed between MR and
autism groups. Such impairments were found both for fathers and mothers. Conclusion:
Compared with parents of healthy children, parents in the MR and autism group reported
impairment in all the four domains of QoL. Little differences were observed between MR and
autism groups. Such impairments were found both for fathers and mothers. Thus, parents of
children with MR and autism seem to display a higher burden and impaired QoL. These finding
must be taken into account in policy making to provide better and more specific supports and
interventions for this group of diseases. Psycho-social intervention programmes for family
caregivers of children with developmental disorders should incorporate building upon specific
strategies to enhance their quality of life.
Description
Keywords
Quality of Life, parents, children with disabilities
Citation
Malhotra Shahzadi, Khan Waheeda, Bhatia M S. Quality of Life of Parents having Children with Developmental Disabilities. Delhi Psychiatry journal. 2012 Apr; 15 (1): 171-176.