Challenges of Parents with Two Intellectually Disabled Children

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the psycho-social problems faced by parents with more than one intellectually disabled child in Mangalapuram Panchayath of Trivandrum District, Kerala. The psychosocial elements considered for this qualitative study includes emotional adaptability of parents, the role of support systems and the precautions taken by the family after the birth of the first child. Data were collected from 5 cases selected from the 15 cases identified in Mangalapuram panchayath. The cases were purposively selected from parents having minimum two disabled children. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview guide as a tool. The difficulty faced by the families with two disabled children reveals multiple levels of stress when compared to families with typically developing children. Such families face problems ranging from financial aspects to the physical, psychological and social aspects, which in turn affect their quality of life.