Quality of Life in Relation to Social Support:A Study of Hindu Couples

Parents of children with developmental disability are always bearing a load of stress. The aim of this study is to compare the stress in parents of children with developmental disabilities, considering the child related factors such as age, gender and ordinal position and level of retardation of the child. This study was conducted in selected districts of Northern Karnataka and special schools for mentally retarded children located in Hubblli-Dharwad city Karnataka, India. During 2016 on 90 parents of 5-18 years old children with developmental disability. Abedin's parenting stress questionnaire was used and Chi-square was used to know the association between the child factor and the parenting stress. Results showed that parents having children with 5-12 age group majority of parents in clinically significant level of stress. Parents of boys had clinically significant level of stress compared to girls. Parents having first child with developmental disability showed clinically significant level of stress. In case of parents of profound level of retarded children all parents had clinically significant level of stress. Chi-square analysis showed significant association between and level of retardation and parenting stress. Due to high level of parenting stress among the parents, special education and early intervention are needed for parents in order to deepening their diagnostic knowledge and professional consultation on stress management.