Psychological Stress Differences among Parents of Children with Intellectual Disabilities in Jordan

Abstract

The current study aimed to identify the level of psychological stress among parents of children with intellectual disabilities and differences due to the variables: relationship with the intellectually disabled child, gender, and severity levels of intellectual disability. The sample consisted of (80) parents of children with intellectual disabilities who were intentionally chosen from the city of Zarqa in Jordan. Having verified its validity and reliability, scale of psychological stress, prepared by the author, was utilized in this study. The results showed that psychological stress level among parents of children with intellectual disabilities in Jordan was high, and the results showed statistically significant differences in the level of psychological stress among the participants due to the impact of the relationship with the intellectually disabled child in favor of mothers, and gender in favor of females, and severity levels of intellectual disability in favor of the moderate and the severe. The study recommended the need to draw the attention of officials in care centers for children with intellectual disabilities to provide training programs and activities for parents of children with intellectual disabilities to reduce the level of psychological stress them, especially mothers.

Keywords: Psychological stress, parents of children with intellectual disabilities, Jordan.