ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION IN MOTHERS OF DISABLED AND NON-DISABLED CHILDREN

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: To find the prevalence of anxiety and depression in mothers of disabled and non-disabled children and to find the association of anxiety and depression with demographic characteristics in district Sheikhupura. Method: A cross sectional comparative study was conducted to find differences in the level of anxiety and depression in both groups of mothers i.e. among mothers of disabled and non-disabled children. A con-venient sampling technique was used to select 340 mothers belonging to both groups (n = 170 in each group). Urdu version of Hospital Anxiety and Depres-sion Scale (HADS) was used to assess anxiety and depression in mothers. Data was analyzed using ANC-OVA (SPSS version 17). Results: The Results of ANCOVA revealed statisti-cally significant differences (p < .001) in the level of anxiety and depression in both groups of mothers. Ramzan N. 1 M.Phil Psychology Government Special Education Centre, 142 - Asif Park, Main GT Road, Ferozwala, District Sheikhupura, Punjab, Pakistan Minhas K. 2 Masters in Special Education Government Special Education Centre, 142 - Asif Park, Main GT Road, Ferozwala, District Sheikhupura, Punjab, Pakistan Majority of mothers (78%) belonging to children with disability had anxiety. Only 52% mothers belonging to non-disabled children had anxiety. Similarly, as com-pared to 46% mothers of non-disabled children, 76% mothers belonging to children with disability had dep-ression. Correlation analysis revealed a significantly positive relationship of anxiety and depression with mothers' age ( p < .05) and statistically significant in-verse relationship with disabled child's age, mothers' educational ( p < .01) and family income status. Conclusion: As the disabled child advances in age, mother better understands the demands of raising a disabled child and thus can cope with these demands affectively and with lesser anxiety. Implications of the study would assist psychologists in devising techni-ques for reducing level of anxiety and depression in mothers of disabled children. Key words: Anxiety, Depression, Children with dis-abilities