Psychological Well-being among Primary Caregivers of Children with Invisible Disabilities in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Caring for a child with invisible disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, speech impairments, and learning difficulties can be fulfilling whilst challenging the caregiver’s psychological well-being. As these children require special support and a diligent caregiving environment to thrive, primary caregivers have to take on additional roles to provide extra support for children with invisible disabilities while accommodating their professional and personal lives through the process. This research therefore analyzed psychological well-being related depression, anxiety, and stress between primary caregivers of children with invisible disabilities and primary caregivers of typically developing children in Sri Lanka. Data was gathered through an online survey of a sample of 75 primary caregivers between the ages of 23 – 56 years, which included 38 primary caregivers of children with invisible disabilities and 37 primary caregivers of typically developing children. The DASS-21 was administered to measure depression, anxiety, and stress. The independent sample t-test was used to compare the mean between the two groups of caregivers. The results confirmed that there is no significant difference in the levels of depression, anxiety and stress between primary caregivers of children with invisible disabilities and primary caregivers of typically developing children. The implications of this study suggest, with the right support and experience, anxiety may reduce in primary caregivers. The necessity to pay attention and provide more social and family support to enhance the psychological well-being of caregivers can improve their efficiency in caregiving.