“A study to assess quality of life and coping strategies among caretakers of children with intellectual disabilities attending outpatient department of selected mental health centre of city in view to develop information booklet.”

Background of The Study

 A Day in the life of caretakers of a child with can include any number of challenges and stressors. Research has shown that several dimensions of the parents' quality of life affected years after a child diagnosed with ID. These included poor physical and psychological health, economic difficulties, lack of social and family support, and lack of time for self-care.

Materials and method

Quantitative research approach, descriptive study design used, non-probability convenient sampling technique used. A study conducted on caretakers of Intellectual disabilities children attending outpatient department of selected mental health care centre of city. The sample size was 100. By using the standardised questionnaire, quality of life and coping strategies among caretakers of Intellectual disabilities assessed.

Result

Majority 59% of caretakers of children with intellectual disabilities age group of 33-47 years and 32% of caretakers of children with intellectual disabilities were in the age group of 48 - 60 years of age. Mostly 61% of mother and 5% of the caretaker of children were cousins. Majority 44% of the caretakers of children were having primary education. 26% of the caretakers of children were having secondary education. Majority 54% of the caretaker were having own business and 38 % of the caretaker were doing daily wages work. Highest percentage 48% of the caretakers of were having 10001-20000 monthly income. 27% of the caretaker were having 20001-30000 monthly income. Majority 74% of the caretaker were having marriage out of family relations. Majority 48% of the caretaker were belonging to joint family and 27% of the caretaker were belongs to extended family. Mostly 39% of the caretaker were taking care of child since 6-10 years and 38 % of the caretaker were taking care of child more than 11 years. The mean quality of life among caretakers of children with intellectual disabilities was 79.68. It indicates that having good Quality of Life. The mean coping strategies score of caretakers of children with intellectual disabilities was 39.09. It indicates that caretakers of children with intellectual disabilities had good Coping strategies. There was no significant difference found in quality-of-Life score with selected demographic variables except Family monthly income. There was no significant difference found in coping strategies score with selected demographic variables except Educational Qualification and Family monthly income.