Perceived stress and anxiety disorder among parents of children with developmental disorders
Perceived stress and anxiety disorder among parents of children with developmental disorders
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1243/8mgvev89Keywords:
Anxiety Disorder, Developmental disorders, Perceived StressAbstract
Raising children with special needs poses significant challenges to caregivers’ mental health. This study aims to examine the current status of mental health difficulties among parents of children with developmental disorders in Viet Tri Ward, Phu Tho Province. A survey was conducted among 147 parents of children with developmental disorders, using a self-report questionnaire. Standardized scales, including the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), were employed to assess mental health difficulties, specifically perceived stress and anxiety symptoms. The findings indicated that gender, educational level, and children’s demographic characteristics did not show statistically significant differences in parental mental health difficulties. However, caregivers’ age and the type of the child’s disorder significantly differentiated levels of stress and anxiety among parents. Specifically, younger parents and families with children diagnosed with complex behavioral disorders (such as autism spectrum disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) experienced higher levels of mental health difficulties. These findings highlight the urgent need to develop targeted mental health counseling programs and specialized social support networks to reduce stress and enhance coping capacity within families of children with developmental disorders.
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