Asian Journal of Home Science

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Influence of Social Class on Type and Level of Coping Stress among Parents of Mentally Challenged Children


Affiliations
1 Department of Human Development and Family Studies, College of Home Science, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, U.S. Nagar (Uttarakhand), India
2 Department of Human Development and Family Studies, College of Home Science, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, U.S. Nagar (Uttarakhand), India
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


The present study assessed and compared the type and level of coping stress by the parents of 150 mentally challenged children. The sample for the present study comprised of mothers and fathers of 150 mentally challenged children drawn randomly in equal proportions from two social classes under study viz. LIG and MIG across the three levels of mental retardation. The type and levels of coping stress by parents were assessed using Family Interview for Stress and Coping in Mental Retardation (Part II) developed by NIMHANS. The study revealed that social class had an impact on the level of coping. MIG mothers and fathers were observed to be better coped up. They were found to be more aware regarding child’s condition, adopting better child rearing practices and also had more expectations and better attitudes towards the child’s condition. Interestingly, the predominant reason was better educational level and financial status of MIG families as compared to the LIG.

Keywords

Family Stress, Mental Disability, Mental Retardation, Economic Class, Social Support.
Subscription Login to verify subscription
User
Notifications
Font Size


  • Abidin, R.R. (1995). Parenting stress index. Odessa, USA: Psychology Press.

  • American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (2010). Mental Retardation: Definition Classification and Systems of Supports. Washington DC: American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

  • Bawalsah, J.A. (2016). Stress and coping strategies in parents of children with physical, mental, and hearing disabilities in Jordan. Internat. J. Edu., 8(1): 1-22.

  • Beresford, P., Green, D., Lister, R. and Woodard, K. (1999). Poverty first hand : poor people speak for themselves. Child Poverty Action Group.

  • Brooks-Gunn, J., Schneider, W. and Waldfogel, J. (2013). The great recession and the risk for child maltreatment. Child Abuse Negl., 37(10): 721-729.

  • Girimaji, S. (1999). Manual of Family Assessment Schedule. Banglore: NIMHANS.

  • Kotelchuck, M. (2006). Pregnancy risk assessment monitoring system (PRAMS): Possible new roles for a national MCH data system. Public Health Rep., 121(1): 6-10.

  • Kumar, G.V. (2008). Psychological stress and coping strategies of the parents of mentally challenged children. J. Indian Acad. Appl. Psychol., 34 (2): 227-231.

  • Lamanna, M.A. and Reidman, A. (2003). Marriages and families: Making choices in a diverse society. U.K.: Thomson.

  • Lezin, N., Rolleri, L.A., Bean, S. and Taylor, J. (2004).Parentchild connectedness: Implication for research, interventions and positive impacts on adolescents health. CA, Scotts Valley: ETR Associates.

  • McCubbin, H.I. and Patterson, J.M. (1983). The family stress process: The double ABCX model of adjustment and adaptation. In: McCubbin, H.I., Sussman, M.B. and Patterson, J.M. (eds.) Social Stress and the Family. New York: Haworth Press.

  • Neely-Barnes, L., Marcenko, M. and Weber, L. (2008). Does choice influence quality of life for people with mild intellectual disabilities? J. Intellect Dev. Disabil., 46(1): 12-26.

  • Pal, D.K. and Choudhury, G. (1998). Preliminary validation of a parental adjustment measure for use with families of disabled children in rural India. Child Care Health Dev., 24: 315-324.

  • Patnaik, G. (2014). Life skill enhancement strategies to minimize stress. Soc. Sci. Internat., 30(2): 281-289.

  • Picci, R.L., Oliva, F., Trivelli, F., Carezana, C., Zuffranieri, M., Ostacoli, L., Furlan, P.M. and Lala, R. (2015). Emotional burden and coping strategies of parents of children with rare diseases. J. Child Fam. Stud., 24: 514–522.

  • Ridge, T. (2009). Report of Department for Work and Pensions: Living with Poverty: A Review of the literature on Children’s and Families’ Experiences of Poverty. Report Series No. 594, London.

  • Santiago, C.D., Etter, E.M., Wadsworth, M.E. and Raviv, T. (2012). Predictors of responses to stress among families coping with poverty-related stress. Anxiety, Stress Coping, 25(3): 239-258.

  • Sturge-Apple, M.L., Suor, J.H. and Skibo, M.A. (2014). Maternal child centered attributions and harsh discipline: The moderating role of maternal working memory across socioeconomic contexts. J. Fam. Psychol., 28(5): 645-664.

  • Upreti, R. and Singh, R. (2016 a and b). Degree of mental challenge-A strong predictor of level and type of parental stress. Internat. J. Humanity Soc. Sci. Stud., 5 (2): 77-86.

  • Upreti, R. and Singh, R. (2016 c). Coping strategies for perceived stress among parents of mentally challenged children across their gender. Internat. J. Humanity Soc. Sci. Stud., 5(6): 213-220.

  • Upreti, R. and Singh, R. (2016 d). Perceived stress among parents of mentally challenged children: analysis across their educational status. Internat. J. Basic & Appl. Agric. Res., 14(3): 369-378.

  • Woodman, A.C. and Hauser, C.P. (2013). The role of coping strategies in predicting change in parenting efficacy and depressive symptoms among mothers of adolescents with developmental disabilities. J. Intellectual Disabil. Res.,57(6): 513-530.


Abstract Views: 198

PDF Views: 0




  • Influence of Social Class on Type and Level of Coping Stress among Parents of Mentally Challenged Children

Abstract Views: 198  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

Rashmi Upreti
Department of Human Development and Family Studies, College of Home Science, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, U.S. Nagar (Uttarakhand), India
Ritu Singh
Department of Human Development and Family Studies, College of Home Science, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, U.S. Nagar (Uttarakhand), India

Abstract


The present study assessed and compared the type and level of coping stress by the parents of 150 mentally challenged children. The sample for the present study comprised of mothers and fathers of 150 mentally challenged children drawn randomly in equal proportions from two social classes under study viz. LIG and MIG across the three levels of mental retardation. The type and levels of coping stress by parents were assessed using Family Interview for Stress and Coping in Mental Retardation (Part II) developed by NIMHANS. The study revealed that social class had an impact on the level of coping. MIG mothers and fathers were observed to be better coped up. They were found to be more aware regarding child’s condition, adopting better child rearing practices and also had more expectations and better attitudes towards the child’s condition. Interestingly, the predominant reason was better educational level and financial status of MIG families as compared to the LIG.

Keywords


Family Stress, Mental Disability, Mental Retardation, Economic Class, Social Support.

References