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Research Article

Psychological well-being of parents and family caregivers of children with hearing impairment in south India: Influence of behavioural problems in children and social support

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Pages 500-507 | Received 09 May 2014, Accepted 19 May 2014, Published online: 19 Aug 2014
 

Abstract

Parents of children with hearing impairment are at increased risk of mental health morbidities. We examined the predictive factors associated with caregiver's strain and psychological morbidities in parents and family caregivers of children with hearing impairment. In total, n = 201 parents and family caregivers of children with and without hearing impairment aged 3 to 16 years were recruited. Caregiver's strain and psychological morbidities were measured using the Zarit Burden scale and the World Health Organization's Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20). Presence of behavioural problems in children was measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. After adjustment, low educational attainment and domestic violence were found to be associated with caregiving strain, whereas dissatisfaction with social support from family, behavioural problems in children, and domestic violence strongly predicted psychological morbidities. Addressing the mental healthcare needs of parents may help in downsizing the impact of psychological morbidities on the well-being of children with hearing impairment.

Acknowledgement

The study was conducted through the joint exchange and collaboration programme of the Public Health Foundation of India and the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, the Netherlands. South Asia Centre for Disability Inclusive Development & Research (SACDIR), Indian Institute of Public Health-Hyderabad, India funded the data collection phase of this study. We also acknowledge Ashray-Akruti special school for children with hearing impairment, Bharatiya Vidyala School, Sri Nagar Colony, Hyderabad, and New Little Scholars School in Kismatpur, Ranga Reddy District, Andhra Pradesh, India, for supporting the field work phase of the study.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

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