A Follow-up Study of Mental Retardation Focussing on Parental Attitudes

The investigation studies the perception and attitudes of patents towards their mentally retarded child. Thirty such children were followed up after one year of initial contact and the parents were interviewed. Parents of higher education had a more scientific perception. Most parents had unrealistic hopes and expectations, feelings of shame, guilt and self blame were predominant. Rejection, hostility neglect of child and other negative attitudes were significantly more often seen in younger parents, urbanites and those with higher education. The negative attitudes were more towards a child with additional psychiatric problems. This information could be of great advmuge in managing families with a retarded child.