Evaluating Anxiety and Stress Coping Skills and Related Variables of Mothers with Mentally Retarded Children /Zihinsel Engelli Cocugu Olan Annelerin Anksiyete ve Stresle Basa Cikma Becerileri ve Iliskili Degiskenlerin Belirlenmesi

Abstract

Aim: Our aim is to compare the socio-demographic characteristics of mothers with mentally disabled children with those without, and to evaluate anxiety levels and ability of these mothers to cope with stress. Materials and Method: Our study is designed as a cross-sectional descriptive study. We included the mothers of 110 children with mental disabilities as the study group, and mothers of 117 children in a primary school without any mental disabilities as the control group. Sociodemographic data of all the mothers participating in the study were recorded and Beck Anxiety Inventory and The Ways of Coping Scale were applied. Results: The mean age of the study group was 31.2±3.45 years in the study group and 28.62±2.25 years in the control group; there was no statistical difference between the groups (p=0.215). Monthly household income was statistically significantly lower in the study group (p=0.005). The average Beck Anxiety Inventory score of the mothers with mentally disabled children was 29.88±12.68, and that of the control group was 28.76±16.86; there was no statistically significant difference between the groups (p=0.578). The average Ways of Coping Scale score of the mothers of mentally disabled children was 70.83±13.49 and average score of the control group was 73.64±16.20; there was no statistically significant difference (p=0.158). However, the average scores of mothers with mentally handicapped children of the three subscales of Ways of Coping Scale, including Submissive Approach, Seeking for Social Support and Optimistic Approach, were significantly higher than the control group (p: 0.001, 0.001, 0.005, respectively). Conclusion: We suggest that mothers of mentally disables children should be followed up closely and supplied with psychosocial support, and rehabilitation services; even, measures to improve their economic situation should be taken.