The levels of stress, depression and anxiety of parents of disabled children in Turkey

Abstract

Background. Parents of disabled children experience some special problems in their lives. It is reported that the parents of disabled children experience a very high level of stress.

Objectives This study aims to determine the situations in which the parents experience higher levels of stress; to investigate the relation between the levels of stress, depression and anxiety.

Material and methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted with parents whose children attend a Special Education and Rehabilitation Centre. The total number of parents was 156 and 127 (81.4%) of them voluntarily participated in this study. A questionnaire form, consisting of questions regarding the socio-demographic characteristics of disabled children and of their parents, was given to the participants. Additionally, the participants were asked to score 10 possible stressful situations (financial problems, relations with other people, having limited free time, not to be able to participate in social activities, etc.) on a scale of 0–10 points. Moreover, psychometric scales such as Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Spielberger State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were applied to the participants.

Results. The mean BDI (SD) score was found to be 14.9 (10.9). The mean STAI-state and STAI-trait scores were 55.1 ± 12.2 and 48.6 ± 8.8, respectively. Among the stressful experiences, the parents gave the highest points to ‘attitudes of society towards disabled people’, ‘having limited free time’ and ‘financial problems’ (Top three situations). In multiple analyses, it was found that by employing the BDI there was a relation between financial problems (β: 0.32, p < 0.01), a decrease in relations with other people (β: 0.21, p < 0.05), having limited free time (β: − 0.19, p < 0.05) and insufficiency of physical structures (β: 0.21, p < 0.05). The relations between financial problems (β: 0.31, p < 0.01) and being an individual who has close relations with disabled person other than his/her parents (β: 0.27, p < 0.01) were defined employing the STAI-state as effective variables. ‘Negative attitudes of society towards disabled people’ (β: 0.29; p < 0.01) were defined employing the STAI-trait as the only effective variable.

Conclusion. Financial problems are the most important factors that affect the psychology of the parents of disabled people. Social programmes that support the parents in respect of both financial matters and home-care facilities should be set up.

Keywords:

• Disabled children
• parents
• stress
• depression
• anxiety

Acknowledgements

The authors express thanks to all participants and the managers of the Special Education and Rehabilitation Centres where the study was carried out. Preliminary reports of this study were submitted to the 10th National Public Health Congress.