The effect of education and group interaction on the family burden and support in the mothers of intellectually disabled children

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the effect of interactive education with group interaction on the family burden and support in the mothers of intellectually disabled children by using pre-post test with control group experimental design. Methods: The study was conducted with 62 mothers have intellectually disabled children between 15th September 2010 and 30th May 2011. An education about difficulties and coping strategies was given to the study group mothers as 6 sessions (every session is for 35-45 minutes) by using interactive methods. Before and after the study, Family Burden Evaluation Scale for Families of Child with Intellectual Disabilities and Family Support Scale were practiced with mothers in the study and control groups. Results: It is determined that family burden mean score was decreased, family support median score was increased in the study group mothers after the education. Also, there was a negative and poor level meaningful relation between total family support and total family burden scores in the study group mothers after the education. Conclusions: The education given by the nurses was effective on decreasing family burden and increasing family support in mothers have intellectually disabled children. It is suggested that education should be given regularly and constantly and mothers who live same problems should be supported by being together.