Volume 19, No. 5, 2022

Psychological Stress, The Role Of Caregiving, And Quality Of Life In Parents Of Children With Learning Disabilities In Pakistan


Ayesha Asghar , Wajeeha Iqbal , Waqar Mehdi , Muhammad Yousaf

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the level of psychological stress, burden sentiments, and their impacts on parents in Pakistan caring for kids with learning difficulties. Data were gathered using a correlational study approach from psychiatric institutions and special education schools in Lahore, Pakistan. Using purposive sampling, a total of N=100 individuals (50 men and 50 women) were selected. Parents' levels of stress were measured using the Perceived Psychological Stress (Cohen, 1983), the Family Caregiving Role Scale (FCRS; Schofield et al., 1997), the severity of the burden was assessed using the Famiy Caregiving Role Scale (FCRS), and the Quality of life (EQ-5D; Van Reenen & Janssen, 2015) was used to assess the effects of having children with learning disabilities on parents' lives. The findings, which were analyzed using SPSS, showed a negative correlation between psychological stress and emotions of burden about parents' life among those parenting children with learning difficulties. Dads reported greater stress levels and loads than mothers, and differences were also seen between mothers and dads. These results highlight the need for parents to have their psychological needs and support requirements met when parenting children with learning impairments in Pakistan and shed light on their difficulties.


Pages: 841-849

Keywords: Psychological stress, Feelings of burden, Learning disabilities, Pakistan.

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