A study on the mediating effect of intellectual wellness in the relationship between physical and emotional wellness of caregivers of children with disabilities

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the mediating effect on intellectual wellness between the physical and emotional wellness of the caregivers of children with disabilities and to provide the relevant data necessary for the response of the caregivers of disabled children. The study subjects were 177 caregivers of children with disabilities, and data were collected from June 2019 to November 2019. Data analysis was performed using the PROCESS macro. Independent sample t-test and one-way batch analyses were conducted to analyze the general characteristics and variables of the collected data. Through this, Scheffe's post-test was performed for variables with statistically significant differences. The relationship between variables was analyzed by Pearson correlation and hierarchical multiple accounting analyses. The results of the study indicate that the physical and intellectual wellness of the main caregivers of children with disabilities provide a direct effect on their emotional wellness as well, and that intellectual wellness provides a mediating effect between physical wellness and emotional wellness. It was found that the influence of the physical environment of children with disabilities is also important, but emotional wellness can be improved only when the main caregivers are provided with an appropriate and sufficient intellectual education. Therefore, the expansion of various educational programs for the main caregivers of children with disabilities could contribute to the improvement of their own overall wellness.