Level of Depression in Parents of children with intellectual disabilities in District Swabi, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Studies show that the number of people with mental illness who have children is increasing Intellectual disability do not necessarily lead to parenting difficulties, but they can effectively affect the ability of those who raise children. Children of parents with intellectual disability may be at increased risk of neglecting care, which can lead to health, development and behavioral problems, or an increased risk of intellectual disability. Compared to other parents, people with intellectual disabilities are more likely to be involved in the care process.

Objective: To investigate the level of depression in these parents and their psychosocial correlation with their children’s

Methodology: The study was a Cross-sectional observational study, conducted at the physiotherapy rehabilitation center of NCS University, Swabi campus. It examined the total of 184 parents of intellectual disability children’s for depression. Depression assessment was done using Beck’s depression inventory scale. Data was analyzed through SPSS 24.

Results: The sample size was 184. Of the 184 people, n = 84 (45.7%) were male participants and n = 100 (54.3%) were female participants. Participants aged 21-30 years were n = 18 (9.8%), participants aged 31-40 years were n = 41 (76.6%), and participants aged 40 and over were n = 25 (13.6%). The average age and SD were 2.0 ± 0.48, the average gender and SD were 1.54 ± 0.49, the average life and divorce with a partner was 1.08 ± 0, 68, and the average BDI and SD were 5.03 ± 0.58. .. At the end of the BDI scale assessment; n = 28 (15.2%) had moderate depression, n = 122 (66.3%) had major depression, and n = 34 (18.5%) had severe depression. This clearly shows that the majority of participants suffered from severe depression due to children with disabilities.

Conclusion: Studies show that parents of children with disabilities are more affected and depressed. Financial problems are the most important factor affecting the psychology of parents with disabilities. In addition, single mothers with children with disabilities have been found to be more prone to major depression than mothers living with their partners.

Keywords: BDI Scale, Depression, Specially Abled, Parents