2942 – Anxiety and depression among parents of children with mental retardation

Abstract

Background:Studies have shown an association between parental anxiety and depression, and caretaking of children with developmental cognitive delays. There is little data in developing countries, such as Pakistan, concerning the impact of raising children with Mental Retardation, upon the quality of parent functioning and risk for psychopathology.Objective:To evaluate for anxiety and depression among parents of children with Mental Retardation (MR).Methods:This was a prospective study conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. Participants were 198 parents (99 fathers/99 mothers) of 100 children with the diagnosis of MR. The parents were assess for anxiety and depression using DSM IV criteria. Informed consent was obtained. The study was approved by the Institutional Research Committee.Results:Significantly high proportion (p-value = 0.024) of mothers (89%) had anxiety, depression or both anxiety and depression together as compared to fathers (77%). Among mothers, 35% met criteria for anxiety, 40% for depression and 13% for both anxiety and depression. Among fathers 42% had anxiety, 31% depression and 3% both anxiety and depression. There was a significant association (Pvalue = 0.027) between gender of parent and individual psychiatric diagnosis of anxiety, depression and anxiety and depression together. A significant association (pvalue = < 0.043) was also found between mother's anxiety, depression or both and degree of mental retardation of their children.Conclusions:Parents of children with MR are at higher risk for anxiety, depression or both, needing mental health assessment.There was correlation between mother's anxiety, depression or both and level of MR among children.

Parenting Module for Parents of Children with Mental Retardation to Improve Understanding in Parenting

“…After parents read the parenting module for parents of children with mental retardation, parents get knowledge. After gaining knowledge about caring for children with mental retardation, parents can understand children with mental retardation where understanding is defined as the ability to understand the material being studied (Dogar et al, 2013;Istafia et al, 2020;Kosasih, 2017). At this level, parents can provide examples of both principles and concepts.…”

“…Parents of children with mental retardation experience stages of psychological conditions such as shock, rejection, guilt, anger, frustration and depression (Hadjimina & Furnham, 2017;Jalali et al, 2016). Several studies have shown that parents of children with mental retardation show feelings of sadness, depression, anger and lack of acceptance of their child's condition (Dogar et al, 2011(Dogar et al, , 2013. They feel that their children are not developing like other children at their age, parents are worried about their children's future and the stigma attached to their children.…”

“…Parenting children with mental retardation is different to parenting general children that do not have barriers. Children with mental retardation take significant time, attention and self-care education (Bourke-Taylor et al, 2021;Dogar et al, 2011Dogar et al, , 2013. Therefore, the role of parents is very important and very much needed in caring for children with mental retardation.…”

IMPACT OF SURGERY ON QUALITY OF LIFE (QoL) IN PATIENTS WITH STRUCTURAL HEART DISEASE

“…7 Despite the tremendous progress in field of cardiology, majority of this growing population with CHD even after the surgery continue to face life-long challenges and are at risk for having a poor (QOL). 8 QOL is a broader term and it seems to depend on multiple factors, good health is directly related to it. In children with CHD to a limited extent the QOL is mainly determined by their heart defect, both palliative and corrective surgery always aims to improve QOL.…”