PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AMONG PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Abstract

Psychological distress referred to an emotional suffering state characterized by depression such as lost interest and hopelessness and anxiety symptoms such as felt tension and restlessness. Parents of children with special needs were likely to be at a higher risk of psychological distress since they might experience many challenges to raise the children. t The long-term issues of children with physical-motor disorders and mental retardation and the need for continuous treatment, these parents would experience high levels of stress and frequently became depressed, frustrated, and disappointed with their children development This study aimed to identify the severity of psychological distress of the parents among special needs children and the relationship between demographic variables and parents' psychological distress among special needs children. A total of 224 parents with special needs children in Terengganu were involved. The psychological distress of parents was measured by using Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Results indicated 36.6% of parents were having severe distress, 21% were experiencing moderate distress and, 21.9% had mild distress. Parent’s job status had indicated a positive significant correlation between severity of psychological distress (r = 0.148, N = 224, p < 0.05). The other variables such as parent's age, parent’s gender, child’s age and diagnosis, parent’s marital status, and parent's education level had shown no significant correlation between the severities of psychological distress. In conclusion, most parents were having psychological distress. Nevertheless, only the job status had demonstrated an impact on the psychological distress of parents.