Parenting Stress among the Parents of Handicapped Children

Abstract

The current investigation sought to analyze the levels of parental stress experienced by caregivers of children with physical and intellectual disabilities in contrast to those of children who are typically developing. Utilizing a quantitative methodological framework, a sample was extracted from both special education institutions and mainstream educational settings. The Parenting Stress Index (PSI; Abidin, 1995) was employed to evaluate stress across various dimensions, encompassing child attributes, parental functioning, and life stressors. The findings revealed markedly elevated stress levels among parents of children with disabilities across all subscales, including mood, demandingness, adaptability, health, and attachment, in addition to the overall PSI score. Reliability assessments demonstrated substantial internal consistency for the PSI, with Cronbach’s alpha scores ranging from .77 to .93 across subscales and .96 for the aggregate scale. Demographic analyses further elucidated the impact of factors such as gender, socioeconomic status, age cohort, and the nature and etiology of disability on parental stress. These results accentuate the pressing necessity for specialized support initiatives and mental health resources aimed at alleviating the psychological strain on caregivers of children with disabilities. The implications for clinical interventions, policy development, and prospective research endeavors are thoroughly examined.

Keywords: Keywords: Parenting stress, handicapped children, physical disability, mental disability, Parenting Stress Index (PSI), parental burden, child development, special needs, caregiver stress, psychosocial factors.