Psycho - Social Determinants Quality of Life among Mothers of Intellectually Disabled and Hearing- Impaired Children

Abstract

Mothers living with a disabled child experience physical and psychological distress, thus compromising their quality of life. The present study emphasizes on understanding the psycho-social determinants of quality of life among mothers of intellectually disabled and hearing-impaired children. A total of 240 eligible mothers (120 mothers of intellectually disabled and 120 mothers of hearing-impaired children) was taken, with age group 25 years to 55 years. For the purpose of data collection nine different rehabilitation institute/ centre of Assam, Kamrup (Metro), India was chosen. The purposive sampling technique was adopted to select the mothers of children within the age group of 5 years to 15 years. Data was collected using standardized questionnaires such as The World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF, Multidimensional scale of Perceived Social Support, Big Five Inventory-2, Emotional Intelligence Scale. Collected data was analyzed through SPSS software. The findings revealed that significant correlation existed between different dimensions of quality of life, social support, personality and emotional intelligence among mothers of intellectually disabled children and hearing impaired children. It was also seen that there was a significant difference in all the dimensions of quality of life, social support, personality and emotional intelligence among the mothers of mild and moderate hearing-impaired children. In addition, there was a significant difference in all the dimensions of quality of life, social support, personality and emotional intelligence was found among the mothers of mild and moderate intellectually disabled children. Mothers of mild hearing impaired children scored high on all the dimensions of quality of life, social support and emotional intelligence than the mothers of mild intellectually disabled ix children. Significant difference was found in all the dimensions of quality of life, social support, emotional intelligence among mothers of moderate intellectually disabled children and moderate hearing-impaired children. There is a significant difference in agreeableness, conscientiousness, negative emotions and open mindedness but there is no significant difference in extraversion among mothers of moderate hearing-impaired children and mothers of moderate intellectually disabled children. Regression analysis revealed that extraversion, conscientiousness, negative emotions, social support from friends, motivation predict quality of life among mothers of intellectually disabled children. Furthermore, among mothers of hearing-impaired children extraversion, conscientiousness, social support from family and friends, motivation and social awareness predict quality of life. Additionally, qualitative research with a semi structured interview was conducted among 30 mothers (15 intellectually disabled and 15 hearing impaired). The thematic analysis revealed that quality of life among mothers of intellectually and hearing-impaired children were mostly associated with financial problems, mothers worried about the future of the child, whereas mothers of hearing-impaired children revealed that their children are somewhat independent as a result of which they are able to adjust in the face of adversity. Key words: Mothers of Intellectually disabled children, mothers of hearing impaired children, quality of life, social support, personality, emotional intelligence